Bala Devi, National women’s football team striker, currently playing for Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Premier League has been recommended for Arjuna Award.
Ngangom Bala Devi in recognition of her contribution to women football from Manipur along with Oinam Bembem were promoted to Inspector rank in Manipur police department by the state cabinet on December 9, 2020. Devi created a commendable feat at her first competitive goal for Rangers at the 85th minute in their 9-0 win against the Motherwell Rangers Women’s football Club and became the first-ever Indian woman footballer to score in an European professional league game.
Before joining Rangers WFC, Bala has won three South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship trophies in 2010, 2014, and 2016. She had also received the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2014 and 2015. Ngangom Bala Devi joined the Scottish Women’s Premier League club Rangers in January 2020 for an 18 month-long contract.
The All India Football Federation has recommended Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country’s highest sporting honour to Sunil Chhetri.
The 36-year-old Sunil Chhetri, also known to his fans as “Captain Fantastic” who captains both Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC and the Indian national football team won the Arujna Awards in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2019. He has played in 118 international matches, scoring 74 goals.
The source of the award announcement was informed to PTI by official source on condition of anonymity.