The Football Players' Association of India or (FPAI) is an association for Indian association footballers. Created in 2006, it aims to "look after the welfare of players and educate and advice them by engaging professionals". It was created by former Indian national team captain Bhaichung Bhutia. In 2007, it got affiliated to FIFPro.
History The FPAI was formed on 13 August 2006 as a brainchild of the India national football team's of the then captain, Bhaichung Bhutia. He said that the body would "function as the parent body of the players" and added that it would "work with the national and state associations for the game's development" and ensure "fair treatment for footballers". Membership was opened to players, both Indian and foreign.
FPAI became an affiliate of FIFPRO on 18 November 2009 at the FIFPro Congress in Budapest.
Beyond player representation, the FPAI has also focused on issues involving contract stability, delayed salaries, medical support and post-retirement planning for footballers in India. The organisation has worked alongside FIFPRO and domestic football authorities to raise awareness about player welfare standards in Indian football, particularly during the expansion of the Indian Super League and other professional competitions.
The association has also organised the annual FPAI Indian Football Awards, where professional footballers vote for players, coaches and emerging talents across Indian football. The awards are considered among the few peer-recognised honours in the country's football system.
FPAI Awards In 2009, the FPAI announced annual awards in four categories. In 2022, awards in women's category were introduced. Current FPAI awards are the following:
FPAI Indian Player of the Year (Men's and Women's) FPAI Foreign Player of the Year (Men's) FPAI Young Player of the Year (Men's and Women's) FPAI Coach of the Year (Men's)
Winners +2009–2021YearIndian Playerof the YearForeign Playerof the YearYoung Playerof the YearCoach of the YearRef2008–09 Odafa Okolie Baljit Sahni Dave Booth 2009–10 Odafa Okolie Joaquim Abranches Armando Colaco 2010–11 Beto Jeje Lalpekhlua Karim Bencherifa 2011–12 Ranti Martins Manandeep Singh Trevor Morgan 2012–13 Ranti Martins Alwyn George Derrick Pereira 2013–14 Darryl Duffy Alwyn George Ashley Westwood 2014–15 Sony Nordé Thongkhosiem Haokip Santosh Kashyap 2015–16 Ranti Martins Udanta Singh Kumam Ashley Westwood 2016–17 Alfred Jaryan Udanta Singh Kumam Khalid Jamil 2017–18 Miku Jerry Mawihmingthanga Albert Roca 2018–19 Coro Lallianzuala Chhangte Eelco Schattorie 2019–20 Roy Krishna Jerry Mawihmingthanga Sergio Lobera 2020–21 Igor Angulo Lalengmawia Ralte Khalid Jamil
+2022–presentYearIndian Playerof the Year(Men's)Indian Playerof the Year(Women's)Foreign Playerof the YearYoung Playerof the Year(Men's)Young Playerof the Year(Women's)Coach of the YearRef2021–22 Bartholomew Ogbeche Akash Mishra Manisha Kalyan Manolo Márquez 2022–23 Greg Stewart Sivasakthi Narayanan Naketa Bishnoi Des Buckingham
Key personnel Management committee President: Renedy Singh (IMG-Reliance) Vice-presidents: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC, ISL) Abhishek Yadav (AIFF) Clifford Miranda (FC Goa, ISL) Alvito D'Cunha
Past Presidents Bhaichung Bhutia (2006–2014)
See also Football in India All India Football Federation
References
External links
Football Players' Association of India at FIFPRO World Players' Union