India and Churchill Brothers midfielder Lenny Rodrigues wins Goan magazine award

Lenny Rodrigues

India and Churchill Brothers midfielder Lenny Rodrigues has won his third individual award in two months as he has been adjudged the ‘Best Sportsperson’ by prestigious Goan magazine ‘Gulab’.

The 26-year-old India international was presented the award at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Saturday.

The Gulab Awards are organised by the Fr. Freddy J Da Costa Memorial Trust and presented to the meritorious winners for excellence in the Konkani tiatr, literary, social and sports fields.

This year’s function commemorated the 60th birth anniversary of late Fr Freddy J Da Costa, the Founder-Editor of the Konkani monthly magazine Gulab.

Back in May, Lenny won the Indian Player of the Year Award at the 2013 FPAI (Football Players’ Association of India) Awards in Mumbai and last month he was adjudged the ‘Best Midfielder’ of the 2012-13 I-League, which Churchill Brothers won.

Lenny has become indispensable for club and country but the recognition given by the Gulab magazine has special significance for him.

“This is a proud moment for me as my hard work has been recognised at the prestigious Gulab Awards. This will motivate me to work even harder from now on and I hope my success will also inspire Goan youth in every aspect of life,” Lenny stated.

The last footballer to be rewarded by the Gulab magazine was former India captain Climax Lawrence in 2008.