Ngangom Bala Devi is an Indian women’s football player who plays as a forward for Scottish Women’s Premier League club Rangers and India Women’s National football team.
Personal profile of Bala devi:
She was born on 2 February 1990 in Manipur. She completed her education at the Oinam Thambal Mark College of OINAM. Her position is a striker. she was currently playing in Rangers FC. When she was a semi-professional player in India she also worked as a policewoman in Manipur police department She was promoted to Inspector rank by her impressive performance in football for Rangers WFC. She joined Ranger WFC in January 2020 and she joined Indian women’s national football team in 2005.
Bala devi’s career:
Devi grew up playing the game with the main boys. She was a part of the Manipur U-19 team that took her to the part in the Under-19 Women’s Championship in Assam in 2002. After the tournament, she was declared best player of the tournament and also she awarded the same title for the next year in 2003 also earned top-scorer awards at the under-17 level for her state.
While playing with Manipur, Devi was a teammate with the Indian captain and AIFF Women’s Player of Year, Oinam Bembem Devi. She finished the tournament scoring 29 goals in seven matches.
During the 2015 National Games of India, Bala Devi represented her state as they won the gold medal. She played in the inaugural season of Indian Women’s League 2016-17 with Manipur Police Sports Club in qualifying round as well as the Final Round played with Eastern Sporting Union.
In January 2020, Devi signed a professional contract with SWPL club Rangers, this makes the few Indian women become professional footballers. On 2nd December 2020, she became the first Indian woman to score in a professional football league in Europe by winning them against Motherwell WFC.
International Career of Bala Devi:
- Devi’s first tournament with the national team was at the under-17 level in 2005.
- She has represented India at the senior level in 2005.
- She was selected in the India squad and she participated in the SAFF championships in 2010.
- Devi was awarded the Women’s Player of the Year award by the All India Football Federation
- She also awarded as the player of the year in 2015.
Bala devi’s career statistics:
| Appearances and Goals: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2010 | 5 | 11 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 | 8 | 18 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 38 | 36 |
Bala Devi’s inspiration towards Mary kom:
Bala Devi, who became the first female Indian footballer to play professionally and score in Europe, inspiration from India’s legendary boxer, Mary Kom.
“Mary Kom is a big source of inspiration for me. She came from such humble beginnings and through her hard work, she broke so many records. Even after becoming a mother, she continues to break records and win laurels for the country. We interacted at the Asian Games in 2014 and watched her train. She is a very friendly person and also supported us during our games,” – Bala Devi.
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