Indian Senior Men’s National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award from the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, today (November 13, 2021). The ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
With 80 goals, Sunil is currently second in the list of goalscorers amongst internationally active footballers with Lionel Messi, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading with 115 goals. He has previously been honored with the Padma Shri Award and the Arjuna Award.
Watch Sunil Chhetri receiving the Khel Ratna award:
“One of the primary reasons I got the Khel Ratna award is because I have been playing for 19 years. I would like to thank each and every one of the masseurs, physios and doctors. You have been a superstar because of the main reason I am on the pitch.
“I need to thank all my clubs, my teammates – both the clubs and the national team, the fans and the family. All these years you have suffered with me, rejoiced with me, you were with me in every ups and downs Were, you dreamed with me – and I very happily share this award with each of you,” expressed Sunil.
Watch the interview here:
For the record, Sunil is the first Indian footballer to have received this award – the highest award for a player in India.
In his statement, AIFF President Mr Praful Patel said: “Congratulations! No one deserves this more than Sunil. He has been the flag bearer and role model of Indian football, having won many awards for his country and all his clubs over the years. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours, and look forward together to lead us to unprecedented glory in the near future. ,
Shri Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation, in his statement said: “My heartiest congratulations to him. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the pinnacle of all sports awards in the country and Sunil deserves this award. He is a living legend, and the icon that all fans look up to. I wish him the best of luck in his professional and personal life. You have been the true flag bearer of Indian football.”
“I hope this award will be an inspiration to all other Indian footballers and inspire them to reach higher levels in their careers,” the Secretary General said.
Besides Sunil, Neeraj Chopra, Ravi Kumar, Lovlina Borgohain, Sreejesh PR, Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Manish Narwal, Manpreet Singh and Mithali Raj were also honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
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