Subrata Pal, Bembem Devi among AIFF's recommendations for Arjuna

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recommended Indian footballers Subrata Pal, Oinam Bembem Devi, Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli for the prestigious Arjuna Awards. “We have given the names of Climax, Mahesh Gawli, Subrata and Bembem Devi,” said AIFF secretary Kushal Das. [caption id=“attachment_2160457” align=“alignleft” width=“300”] Subrata Pal got the captain’s armband after Stephen Constantine returned to manage the Indian team in 2015. AIFF[/caption] Lawrence led the country during a decade-long international career that started in 2002, before retiring in 2012. The 36-year-old midfielder has played for Salgaocar, East Bengal and Dempo and is currently representing Mumbai FC in the I-League. Gawli, a stopper, once held the distinction of being the highest paid Indian footballer in the league. He began his international career in 1999 and played a key role till he called it quits in 2011. Gawli began his club career at FC Kochin in the 1998-99 season and has since played for big clubs like Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mahindra United and Dempo. The current national team captain Subrata Pal, playing international football since 2007, is India’s first choice goalkeeper and has had a stint at Danish club FC Vestsjælland. The 28-year-old Pal was handed the captain’s armband after Stephen Constantine’s appointment as the manager of the India national football team. The 35-year-old Bembem Devi plays for the Indian women football team and has been a regular with her state team, Manipur. PTI