The legendary Oinam Bembem Devi, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Gurpreet Sandhu have been nominated for the 2017 Arjuna Awards by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The 36-year-old Bembem called time on her illustrious international career at the end of the South Asian Games last year in Shillong, and an Arjuna will be a fitting reward for her services to the game, the AIFF felt.
She has been the biggest name in the women's game.
Gurpreet, a 26-year-old goalkeeper, who is the only Indian to have played top-flight football in Europe, also stands a good chance.
Gurpreet had turned out for Norwegian top division club Stabaek in 2016, and was impressive.
AIFF Player of the Year Jeje has been a key member of the national team for a while and played for Mohun Bangan in the I-League.