AIFF set to recommend Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Jeje Lalpekhlua for Arjuna Award

The duo has been regulars for the Blue Tigers in the international stage for a some time now.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) revealed on Saturday that they will be recommending Indian national team regulars Jeje Lalpekhlua and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu for the Arjuna Award this year.

The duo got nominated earlier back in 2017 alongside former Women's team captain Oinam Bembem Devi who was awarded with the prestigious award.

"Yes we are recommending their names and we will soon be sending out the official letters from the administration," an AIFF official of the AIFF told PTI.

Both Gurpreet and Jeje are senior members of the Indian national team and their contribution to the sport in the country have not gone unnoticed. Jeje Lalpekhlua, popularly known as the Mizo sniper made his debut for the Blue Tigers in 2012 in the AFC Challenge Cup qualification match against Chinese Taipei where he scored a goal. Since then the boy from Mizoram has become India's consistent marksman.

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He has several accolades in his illustrious career, winning the I-League and Federation Cup with Mohun Bagan as well as two Indian Super League titles with his current club Chennaiyin FC. Donning the national team jersey, Jeje has bagged the SAFF Cup thrice and also was an integral part of the squad in the AFC Asian Cup. Jeje is often overshadowed by his striking partner Sunil Chhetri but the Mizo Sniper has 23 goals for the Blue Tigers in 56 appearances.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, on the other hand, has been India's standout goalkeeper for the last two years. The lanky custodian plied his trade for East Bengal and won several accolades donning the Red and Gold. After his stint with the Kolkata giants, Sandhu became the first Indian to play a top division match in European soil, for Norwegian club Stabaek. However, since then he has returned to India, joining Bengaluru FC and winning the ISL title and Super Cup with the Blues. Gurpreet was included in the 23 man side in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and he made his debut against Turkmenistan in a 1-1 draw.