Bencherifa best coach, Seoka is player of the season

Moroccan Karim Bencherifa was named the best coach for the 2010-11 season for helping Salgaocar SC achieve the rare double of winning the I-League as well as the Federation Cup while Ryuji Seoka was declared the player of the season.

East Bengal's Mehtab Hossaain, as expected, won the award for the best midfielder, while Pune FC's Subrata Paul was named the numero uno goalkeeper for his outstanding show at the post.

Dempo SC's Ranty Martins, who topped the scorers' list with 29, bagged the honour for the best striker, while East Bengal's Uga Okpara, for his assured presence at the back, was named the best defender.

Disbanded earlier this year, JCT was awarded with the fairplay trophy.

In the reckoning for the Indian football team coach's job, Bencherifa had earlier won the Federation Cup with Mohun Bagan in 2008, becoming the first foreign coach to win the prestigious tournament with two clubs.

Jeje Lalpekhlua of Indian Arrows, now Pialan Arrows, was the highest Indian goal scorer with 12 strikes.