I. Arumainayagam conferred Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025 in Bengaluru

I. Arumainayagam was conferred the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025 in Bengaluru on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The former India winger, now in his 86th year, received the lifetime Arjuna honour.

A speedy winger in his prime, Arumainayagam represented India during one of its most celebrated periods and was part of the gold-medal winning side at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta. He also featured at the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, where India finished runner-up, and played at the 1966 Merdeka Cup, where India placed third. Arumainayagam made his international debut against Thailand on August 28, 1962, at the Asian Games and went on to represent India 18 times, scoring three goals.

“He was a bit surprised, but happy and proud,” Arumainayagam’s son Nilton Christopher told The Hindu after the award announcement. “He remembers a few moments of his career, but not much. However, we are all very happy. We have been waiting for this for a long time, but everything happens with time. We are thankful to the Government, all the supporters and well wishers,” added Nilton, himself a former Indian Railways footballer.

Born in Bengaluru, where he continues to reside, Arumainayagam had a distinguished domestic career. After beginning in his home state, he represented Madras/Tamil Nadu, Bengal and Railways in the Santosh Trophy between 1958 and 1971, and was part of Bengal’s victorious Santosh Trophy team in 1962-63.

At club level, Arumainayagam played for Mohun Bagan from 1961 to 1968 and scored 56 goals for the club. During his time with Mohun Bagan he won the Calcutta Football League four times, the Durand Cup three times, the IFA Shield twice and the Rovers Cup once.

The award and family reaction were reported by The Hindu on August 18, 2026 (09:20 pm IST). Nilton said the family were thankful to the Government, supporters and well wishers following the lifetime Arjuna recognition.