AIFF to recommend Chhetri for Padma Shri

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.

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

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 Chhetri. The AIFF recognises his contribution and has already looked 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.

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

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