Sunil Chhetri named AIFF Player of the Year for sixth time
New Delhi, July 9: Talismanic Indian captain Sunil Chhetri was Tuesday named as the AIFF Men's Footballer of the Year for a record-extending sixth time.
The 34-year-old striker, who has been in peak form in the last couple of years, has earlier won the honour in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017. He currently plays for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
Chhetri is currently the second highest international goal scorers among active players with 70 strikes to his name, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (149). He has gone past Lionel Messi (68), who is third in the list, during the 2019 Intercontinental Cup opener against Tajikistan.
Chhetri is the most capped player of the country with 109 matches, ahead of former captain Bhaichung Bhutia (107).
"The fact that this was voted by the Hero I-League and Hero ISL coaches makes it all the more special. I am grateful to my club members, coaches, fellow players, the national team staff, and the fans for their support, love, and affection," Chhetri said.
On being reminded about winning the award for the sixth time, he added: "I never play for Awards. But yeah, it feels nice when your hard work gets recognised. This is an added motivation to do better."
India midfielder Abdul Samad was named the AIFF Emerging Men's Player of the Year.
Ace India international Ashalata Devi was named the AIFF Women's Footballer of the Year 2018-19, while Dangmei Grace was adjudged the AIFF Emerging Women's Footballer of the Year 2018-19.
Best Grassroots Development Programme award will be given to Jammu and Kashmir Football Association while R Venkatesh of Tamil Nadu won the award for the best referee.
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Hyderabad airport receives three bomb threats for incoming flights
Hyderabad (PTI): Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has received three bomb threats to flights coming from different cities, including two international, sources said.
The airport received emails on late Sunday night targeting British Airways' (BA 277) from Heathrow, Lufthansa’s (LH 752) from Frankfurt and IndiGo's 6E 7178 from Kannur.
Airport sources said all the flights landed safely. The two international flights landed here during the early hours of Monday.
"Standard safety protocols were initiated for all three aircraft," sources said.
Standard safety protocols include isolation of the aircraft, screening of baggage and passengers, keeping fire engines ready and pressing sniffer dogs into services, among others, sources added.
Last week, the RGIA received bomb threat emails for the Dubai-Hyderabad Emirates flight and IndiGo's Madina–Hyderabad and Sharjah-Hyderabad flights separately.
Madina–Hyderabad was diverted to Ahmedabad airport.
