Consistent goal-getter Alvito D'Cunha and Ms Sujata Kar were adjudged 'Best footballers for 2002-03' among men and women respectively by the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club.

Asim Biswas, the young striker of Tollygunge Agragami, was voted 'Most Promising footballer'.

At a function in Kolkata on Thursday, Samar Banerjee, the captain of India's 1956 Olympic Games football team, presented silver salvers to the trio on behalf of the club.

Speaking on the occasion, D'Cunha, who hails from Goa but represents Kolkata's East Bengal, said the award would motivate him to play even better in the days to come. The quicksilver India striker has been instrumental in East Bengal's fine showing in National Football League this season. His eight goals have seen the club rise to the top of the National Football League standings.

D'Cunha, who moved to East Bengal from his Goa club, Salgaocar, this season, said he is likely to take up an offer to play in South Africa next season.

"Negotiations are on to play in the South African league for a club there," he said. "But if I don't get better payment there, I would prefer to hang on in the country," he added.

It is learnt that South African top division club Manning Rangers has shown interest in D'Cunha following his fine performances during a series of exhibition matches in South Africa last year.