India’s Mr. Versatile Syed Rahim Nabi has been adjudged as the AIFF Player of the Year 2012. The announcement was made by AIFF president Praful Patel during the AGM at the Football House, New Delhi on Thursday.
Nabi was chosen the winner after voting by I-League Club Coaches. The voting procedure ended on December 14.
Nabi, who recently turned 27, was an integral part of the India team during the Nehru Cup triumph earlier this year and has been consistent at club level also despite Mohun Bagan’s struggles in 2012.
The former Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal player also won the FPAI (Football Players’ Association of India) Indian Player of the Year Award earlier in the summer.
Although a fan favourite throughout the country, Nabi was unfortunately hit by a missile during the ill-tempered Kolkata Derby on December 9 and is currently recovering from that nasty injury.
India coach Wim Koevermans said, “I congratulate Rahim Nabi on being chosen the winner by the various I-League club coaches. I wish him all the best for the future and wish him a speedy recovery.”
International Career
International debut: Against Oman in the Pre World Cup Qualifiers in Muscat.
Caps: 61 Goals: 6
Honours: Nehru Cup: 2007, 2009 and 2012 (all in New Delhi); SAFF Cup: 2005 (Karachi) & 2011 (New Delhi); AFC Challenge Cup: 2008 (New Delhi).
Club Career
Mohammedan Sporting (2002-204); East Bengal (2004-2011); Mohun Bagan (2011-present)
Honours: Trophies Won: Federation Cup: (2007, 2009, 2010); Durand Cup: (2004); San Miguel Cup (Kathamandu): (2004); Kolkata League: (2004, 2006, 2010) Super Cup: (2005-06))
Past winners of AIFF Player of the Year award:
1992: I.M.Vijayan
1993: V.P.Sathyan
1994: Jo Paul Ancheri
1995: Baichung Bhutia
1996: Bruno Coutinho
1997: I.M.Vijayan
2000: I.M.Vijayan
2001: Jo Paul Ancheri
2002: Deepak Mondal
2003: Tomba Singh
2004: S. Venkatesh
2005: Climax Lawrence
2006: Surkumar Singh
2007: Sunil Chhetri
2008: Baichung Bhutia
2009: Subrata Paul
2010: Gouramangi Singh
2011: Sunil Chhetri