IM Vijayan for Padma Shri
- The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended the name of former Indian football team captain Inivalappil Mani Vijayan for Padma Shri. Padma Shri award is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
About Inivalappil Mani Vijayan –
- During his carrer, Inivalappil Mani Vijayan has scored 40 goals in 79 matches for India. he made his debut in the early 90s. in the year 2003, he earned Arjuna award. in 1993, 1997 and 1999, he was homoured with the Indian ‘Player of the Year’ in the year.
Name of Six Indian footballers that had received Padma Shri.
| Name | Year |
| Sailen Manna | 1971 |
| Chuni Goswami | 1983 |
| PK Banerjee | 1990 |
| Bhaichung Bhutia | 2008 |
| Sunil Chhetri | 2019 |
| Bembem Devi | 2020 |