The Government of India will bestow the revered Padma Shri award to Indian football team captain and former Indian international cricketer Gautam Gambhir on January 26 on the occasion of Republic Day. The Home Ministry announced the same via a press release.
Sunil Chhetri will become the sixth footballer to be conferred the award with Bhaichung Bhutia, Gostha Pal, Sailen Manna, Chuni Goswami, and P.K. Banerjee being the other awardees.
Gautam Gambhir is the only cricketer to be bestowed with the Padma Awards this year. The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain will join the elite list of DB Vengsarkar, Mohammed Azharuddin, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Lakshman, Virendar Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, and Mithali Raj.
Bachendri Pal is the only sportsperson to receive the Padma Vibhushan awards this year. The 64-year-old became the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1984.
Ajay Thakur, Prashanti Singh, Bajrang Punia, Bombayla Devi Laishram, Sharath Kamal, and Harika Dronavalli are the other six sportsperson who will receive the Padma Shri award for their unparalleled and distinguished achievement in the field of Kabaddi, Basketball, Wrestling, Archery, Table Tennis, and Chess.
