Mehrajuddin Wadoo gets 2011 Lion Award

Indian international footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who is part of the squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, has been named as the winner of the 2011 Lion Award by the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of All India Boys Scouts. It is a big honour for the 26 year old Srinagar born Kashmiri footballer, who plays for Kolkata giants East Bengal Club in the Indian football circuit.

The executive committee of J&K Scouts and Guides Association, an affiliate of All India Boys Scouts, said Wadoo brought "international prestige" to the sports fraternity of the state.

"The news of Wadoo's selection in the Indian squad for Asian Cup has made the Jammu and Kashmir state proud. All India Boys Scouts, J&K Chapter, has decided to honour Wadoo with 2011 Lion award for his contribution to football," the Association said in a statement.

It is another feather in the cap for Mehraj, who amongst other things has founded the 'Football Players Welfare Association' in Jammu&Kashmir on the lines of the Football Players Association of India to support former footballers and enable talented youngsters to take-up football as a profession.

Talking about the award Mehraj said, "As far as the award is concerned its an honour to receive any award! I have also been nominated for a state award as the best sports person of 2008 in Jammu&Kashmir and was supposed to collect it on July 14, 2010; but due to the problems in Kashmir the state government hasn't been able to organise an award ceremony."

Now Mehraj will at least have two award ceremonies to attend when he comes back from Qatar after the Asian Cup.

My heartiest congratulations to Mehraj!!!