Sunil Chhetri, India football captain, to be recommended for Padma Shri | Football News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Sunil Chhetri, India football captain, to be recommended for Padma Shri

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | ByPress Trust of India
May 01, 2018 04:18 PM IST

Sunil Chhetri, captain of Indian football team, is set to be recommended for the Padma Shri by the All India Football Federation. The striker has 56 international goals to his name in 97 appearances.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to recommend Sunil Chhetri for the country’s fourth highest civilian award -- the Padma Shri -- a huge recognition for the nation’s all-time leading goal-scorer should he get the honour.

Sunil Chhetri recently helped his club Bengaluru FC win the inaugural Super Cup.(PTI)
Sunil Chhetri recently helped his club Bengaluru FC win the inaugural Super Cup.(PTI)

Chhetri leads the India chart with 56 goals from 97 appearances and is one of the forwards with better strike rates in world football.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The AIFF said that it was considering recommending a top player for the honour without confirming the name, but sources close to the apex body said it was Chhetri, as the federation recognises the Indian captain’s contribution to the sport.

“If there is one name in Indian football who deserves to be recommended for such a huge honour, it is undoubtedly Sunil Chhetri. The AIFF recognises Sunil’s contribution and has already looking at the criteria,” a well-placed source said.

When contacted, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das also said that the federation has recommended Jeje Lalpekhlua and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s names for the Arjuna Awards.

READ | Indian football team’s strength will be tested in four-nation meet: Sandesh Jhingan

Asked if Chhetri is being considered by the AIFF for the Padma Shri, Das did not confirm, but, in what seemed a giveaway, lavished rich praise on the 33-year-old star striker.

Padma awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day, January 26, every year.

Last June, Chhetri became the fourth highest goal-scorer among active international players when he struck his 54th against the Kyrgyzstan, surpassing England’s Wayne Rooney.

He was then behind USA’s Clint Dempsey, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

The Bengaluru FC skipper, who began his career at Mohun Bagan in 2002 as a 17-year-old, is India’s all-time highest goal-scorer in international fixtures. Besides, he is also the all-time highest goal-scorer in the domestic league among Indians.

READ | Three Italians included as first FIFA World Cup VARs named

Since then, he has played for 10 clubs across five states and three countries.

In 2010, he travelled to US, to play for Major League Soccer outfit Sporting Kansas City, but did not play a single match.

In October 2012, he made his debut for Portuguese second-division outfit Sporting CP B, though he would make just two more appearances for them.

Catch all the Latest Football matches score updates alongwith EPL 2024 Schedule , ISL 2024 Schedule and other related updates on ISL 2024 Points table on The Hindustan Times website and App
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On