PANJIM: Former Dempo Sports Club stars Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence have been recommended for the Arjuna Award this year by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The governing body also included India National team captain Subrata Paul as well as Oinam Bembem Devi, the legend of India women’s football team.
Defender Gawli has retired from professional football this season after struggling with injuries for the past two years. Climax, winner of the maiden Indian Super League (ISL) with Atletico de Kolkata continues his trade in the midfield for Mumbai FC in the I-League. The duo were at their peak under head coach Armando Colaco.
“I feel really good as this is the fourth time they (AIFF) have recommended me for the prestigious award,” said Climax.
My next goal is to get educated in Coaching Licensees and educate kids what I have learnt from my football career,” added the midfield maestro.
On the other hand, this will be the fifth nomination for Climax’s former teammate Gawli.
“I am delighted and humbled to be shortlisted by the AIFF for the Arjuna Award, the highest recognition conferred by the Government of India for the sportspersons in the country. It will be a great honour to be bestowed with this prestigious award,” expressed Subrata Paul, who plays for Salgaocar FC.
All four above mentioned players meet the criterion of the award, which include exceptional leadership qualities, consistent performances on the International stage and qualities of sportsmanship.
However, the footballers will face a tough test to earn the honour as the new guidelines for the award gives 80 per cent weightage on the performance in the various international championships. India’s absence from the global stages of football makes it less probable for the quartet to match their couterparts from other Olympic sports like archery, shooting and wrestling.
Various other sporting attributes make up the remaining distribution of points for the award.
Among the Indian footballers still active, Deepak Mondal and Sunil Chhetri are the only duo to have won this award. While the guidelines make it almost impossible that more than one male player will win the award this year, it is still possible that more than one prize can be handed in the same sports category for different genders.
If Bembem Devi manages to win the coveted award, she will become the second Indian female footballer after Shanti Mullick to be conferred with this honour.
Last year the AIFF had decided not to send any recommendations for the Arjuna Award, even though Armando Colaco’s name was sent for the Dronacharya award. This year, no names have been sent for the latter.
