‘Durga of Indian Football’ receives Padma Shri Award

The ‘Durga of Indian Football,’ Oinam Bembem Devi became the first Indian woman footballer, and the seventh overall to receive the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
Oinam received the Award in the Capital earlier today (November 8, 2021) from the honorable President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind. The function was held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Mr. Praful Patel, President of, All India Football Federation in his statement said: “Congratulations! It’s an extremely proud moment for Indian Football. Bembem Devi has been a role model for Indian Football and won so many laurels for India over the years. I hope more girls draw inspiration from her and take Indian Women’s Football to greater heights.”
Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation in his statement said: “Bembem is a living legend and has been the flagbearer of Indian Women’s football over the years. 2022 is the year of Women’s Football in India as we are hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, and then the FIFA U17 FIFA World Cup India 2022. I am confident this Award will provide the necessary fillip to inspire the next generation, and generate interest among all stakeholders. Congratulations!”
Mr. Das also made a mention of Bembem’s contribution to the sport as a coach after hanging her boots. “Post-retirement Bembem has been transferring her knowledge as a coach, having been a part of Indian National age-group teams, and also at the club level. I wish her all the best for her professional and personal life.”
In the process, Bembem joins the elite club of Late Gostho Paul, Late Sailen Manna, Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia and current Indian Men’s National Team captain Sunil Chhetri as Indian Footballers who won the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read : AFC Women’s Club Championship: Gokulam Kerala FC lose to Amman Club in a close encounter
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on Mumbai & Indian Football
Hekmat Singh stars with a double hat-trick as Customs beat ESIC 7-0
Defying his age, Hekmat produced a clinical display of finishing in front of goal as he pumped in half a dozen himself in Customs 7-0 rout out of ESIC On…
We want to win this league unbeaten: Steven Dias
Playing their first season in MFA Elite League, Ambernath Utd – Atlanta FC coached by former India International Steven Dias has been on a rampaging run so far having beaten every opponent they have faced.
Coach Education / Football News / Reliance Developmental League
Bosses at the helms: A look at top Indian coaches on top jobs – PART 2
In this part, we have listed down the Indian coaches who are leading their teams in the Reliance Foundation Development League. In the Reliance Foundation Development League, most Indian coaches…
Arif Shaikh’s brace leads 10 Man Ambernath Utd – Atlanta FC to another comfortable win
13 in 13! Despite being down to 10 men, Ambernath United – Atlanta FC managed to continue their winning streak as they beat DK Pharma 3-0 Continuing their rich vein…
Football News / I-league / Kenkre Football Club
Kenkre FC: A Story of Inexperience, Determination, and Colossal fighting spirit
From a disappointing start to getting so close to pulling off a miraculous survival, Kenkre’s first-ever Hero I League season can be termed as the story of the season. It…
Western Railway holds Mumbai Customs to a goalless draw
Despite some assertive football from Mumbai Customs, Western Railway showed brave character to hold the defending champions to a goalless draw in an Elite Division tie of the MFA at…
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Football News / I-league / Kenkre Football Club
Ranjeet Pandre selected for the All-Stars squad for the game against the Indian national team
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 11 May 2022 announced the roster for the preparatory match between the national team and the All-Stars team to be played later this…
Gokulam Kerala vs Mohammedan SC: Who needs what to win Hero I-League title
Sreenidi Deccan FC’s stunning 3-1 victory over Gokulam Kerala on Tuesday threw a spanner in the defending champions’ works to reclaim their Hero I-League crown as Mohammedan SC kept their…
Football News / I-league / Indian Women's League / Women Football
Gokulam Kerala women take inspiration from men’s victory in Hero I-League
Gokulam Kerala FC created history in Indian Football on Saturday, May 14, when they defeated Mohammedan SC 2-1 to win back-to-back Hero I-League titles for the first time in the…
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Football School of India to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based Football School of India is going to conduct youth trials for its boys and girls squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-13…
Bengaluru FC Elite Youth Football Trials
Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and are past champions of the I-League and ISL. The club has launched its Soccer…
D’Souza Football Academy to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based D’Souza Football Academy is going to conduct football scholarship trials for its youth squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-7 to under-15….
Oscar SSE to conduct trials for Youth I-League in U13, U15&U18 category in Mumbai
OSCAR SSE, an AIFF Accredited Academy invites all U13, U15 & U18 players from ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC backgrounds for football trials to join our Elite teams to train round the year…
Elite Division / MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Air India to conduct senior team trials for MFA Elite League on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Senior Team to play the MFA Elite (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India…
MDFA / Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Air India to hold youth team trials on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Youth Team for the MFA Super (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India will…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Bhaichung Bhutia’s Residential Academy set to conduct trials in Mumbai
16th March, 2022: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) will conduct Residential Academy trials in Maharashtra for the academic year 2022-23. In the next few months, the trials will be organized…
Bombay Muslims Sports Club to conduct trials for its Elite Division Team
Mumbai-based Bombay Muslims Sports Club will conduct trials for its Elite Men’s team for the upcoming MFA Elite League. Bombay Muslims have been a regular outfit in Mumbai Football top…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Elite Division club Salsette FC to hold trials
Thane-based Salsette FC will be conducting football Trials this Saturday for their upcoming MFA Elite Division 2021-22 Campaign. Salsette FC had been playing in Super Division back in the 2016-17…