Pyari Xaxa of Odisha Wins Best Women's Indian Player Award

Odisha's Pyari Xaxa has been named the Best Women’s Indian Player of the Year. The striker, who plays for Odisha FC Women in the IWL, is currently representing the nation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Thailand. The award was presented at the Indian Football Awards 2025, hosted by the Football Players Association of India (FPAI) in Shillong on June 29. Pyari, hailing from Odisha's Sundargarh district, recently scored five goals in India's dominant 13-0 victory over Mongolia. In other news, veteran Sunil Chhetri, who returned from international retirement, received the Indian Player of the Year award. The FPAI's awards are decided by a player-led voting system, with active footballers casting their votes to determine the winners. Other winners include Brison Fernandes, Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Edmund Lalrindika, Khalid Jamil, and Naorem Priyanka Devi.