The All Manipur Football Association has lauded referee Lairenlakpam Ajitkumar Meitei and women footballer N Ratanbala Devi for winning All India Football Federation(AIFF) Best Referee and AIFF Emerging Women’s Footballer 2019-20 of India.

The awards were announced by the All India Football Federation on Friday with L Ajitkumar Meitei and N Ratanbala Devi bringing top honour to the state.

Imphal East District football association also congratulated Referee Ajitkumar who is the only FIFA referee of India to achieve this feat and Ratanbala for getting the Best emerging player of the year.

The AMFA in a statement said that judging by his officiating prowess in the ISL, I-League, Champions Cup, Second Division I-League and other assignments, the AIFF had awarded Ajitkumar Meitei with the Best Referee title.

The AMFA is very proud to have such an excellent referee to bring more laurels to the state.

Central midfielder N Ratanbala Devi, who is a regular feature in the Indian team, has shown the tremendous capacity for the country in international competition.

The AMFA is indebted to both the professionals for making the state proud and lifting to its glory and wish them more success in the future.

Ajitkumar Meitei (All India RIN-110017), State category-I referee has been awarded the best referees award of the AIFF 2020.

He had won the best state referee Award of the CC Meet thrice in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Ajitkumar hails from Lilong Chajing Mamang Leikai and is the son of (L) L Aten Meitei and (L) L (O) Thoibi Leima.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: ssamom@gmail.com