Surkumar is AIFF Player of the Year

Mahindra United defender Surkumar Singh was on Wednesday named 'Player of the Year' for 2006 by the All India Football Federation.

Surkumar was selected for the honour following impressive performances for the country as well as Mahindra United throughout the year.

The AIFF announced the decision at its Annual General Meeting at its headquarters in Delhi.

Surkumar is the second Manipuri to bag the honour after Tomba Singh in 2003.

The former cadet of the Tata Football Academy, who is presently in action for his club in the Federation Cup in Kolkata, was a vital cog in Mahindra United's first triumph in the IFA Shield last week.

Surkumar was also part of the Indian team at the Doha Asian Games and found the net in the match against the Maldives.

Climax Lawrence was adjudged Player of the Year in 2005.

Among other decisions taken at the AIFF AGM, 2007 will be the year for talent hunt, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been selected for extension of the Vision India project, a part of Vision Asia.

Gangtok and Bangalore were confirmed as the centres for the second stage of FIFA's Goal project in India after initiating the effort with Delhi and Manipur.

"The federation will make special efforts to spot talented youngsters in age-group tournaments so that they can be groomed to become better players at the senior level. More funds will also be allocated for this purpose," an AIFF official said.

The federation is also considering starting a women's football league and club tournament and providing financial incentives for states participating in Under-13 football festival.