One of the biggest names in the women's game, the 36-year-old Bembem called time on her illustrious international career at the end of the South Asian Games last year in Shillong.
Bembem hoped the Padma Shri will act as recognition for women's football in India.
Time froze for Oinam Bembem Devi when she received a phone call from the AIFF media manager breaking the news of her being named the All India Football Federation's 'Women's Player of the Year'.
Manipur beat defending champions Orissa 3-1 in the final to win the 20th women's National Football Championship for the 17th time, at the Golaghat stadium in Assam, on Monday.
India scored a 3-1 victory over Iran in the first leg of the AFC Women's Asia Cup qualifier in Gurgaon on Saturday.
'I regret not having played an individual sport. When it came to rewarding an athlete, it was always one in an individual sport who was favoured.' 'I feel lucky that I was born in India and played football for India. I can go home with a smile on my face..'
India football captain Subrata Paul is among retired stars Climax Lawrence and Mahesh Gawli to have been recommended by the All India Football Federation for the prestigious Arjuna Awards.
Sunil Chhetri was named India's Player of the Year by AIFF president Praful Patel at the Annual General Meeting in Delhi on Friday. India's captain, who won the award in 2007 and 2011, emerged winner after voting by I-League coaches at AIFF's headquarters in Delhi.
Celebrated boxer M C Mary Kom will be conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, while world champion shuttler P V Sindhu will get the Padma Bhushan among eight sportspersons named for the prestigious honours on Saturday. She is one of seven eminent personalities to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year.
Devendra Jhajharia, on Tuesday became the first para athlete to receive India's highest sporting honour -- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- along with hockey star Sardar Singh, who has endured trying times off the field in the last one year.
The 36-year-old Jhajharia, who is the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals, was the first choice of the awards selection committee.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Tuesday.
FIFA legends Carlos Valderrama and Marcel Desailly on Wednesday advised the Indian colts to view the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup as a huge opportunity to shine on the international stage and perform to their potential.
For the 12th successive time, none could match up to India's regional might but the host country's record-breaking medal haul of 308 can hardly hide the fact that the standard of competition in the South Asian Games has failed to rise significantly.
President Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma awards to 73 individuals, some posthumously, at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.
