New Delhi: Talismanic India Captain Sunil Chhetri has been recommended for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna this year, the highest sports honor in the country, by the Indian football federation.
Striker National Women’s Football Team Bala Devi, who currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, has been recommended for the Didoveted Arjuna award.
“We have recommended Sunil Chhetri for Khel Ratna and Devi Bala for Arjuna Award,” said the official source to PTI with anonymity requirements.
“We also recommend Gabriel Joseph for the Dronacharya award,” added the source.
36-year-old chhetri has been in extraordinary form for the country and for his club Bengaluru FC in recent years.
He has played 118 international matches, scoring 74 goals, both Indian records.
He scored two goals against Bangladesh in the recent World Cup qualifier in Qatar to become the second highest international goal scorer among active players, ahead of Maestro Lionel Messi Argentina.
He, however, is currently in fourth place with the United Arab Emirates Ali Mabkhout (76) and Messi (75) after defeating him.
Chhetri is the recipient of Padma Shri (2019), the highest civil honor of the four countries, and Arjuna Award (2011).
Since making debut in 2005, Chhetri has been part of the Indian team who won the AFC Challenge Cup (2008), Saffal Championship (2011, 2015), Nehru Cup (2007, 2012), InterContinental Cup (2017, 2018).
He also played in the 2011 and 2019 Asian Cups.
On the other hand, 31 years old, on the other hand, became the first Indian women’s soccer player to play for the top professional league in Europe when he joined the Rangers of Glasgow in January last year , He has played more than 50 matches for the country since 2010 and will play an important role in the national team during the AFC Asian Cup to be held by the state next year.