Bala Devi Explained

Bala Devi
Fullname:Ngangom Bala Devi
Birth Date:2 February 1990
Birth Place:Manipur, India
Currentclub:Manipur Police
Position:Striker
Years1:2015
Clubs1:New Radiant
Caps1:7
Goals1:25
Years2:2016–2017
Clubs2:Manipur Police
Years3:2017
Clubs3:Eastern Sporting Union
Caps3:3
Goals3:4
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:KRYPHSA
Caps4:7
Goals4:12
Years5:2018–2019
Clubs5:Manipur Police
Caps5:7
Goals5:26
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Rangers
Caps6:9
Goals6:2
Years7:2022
Clubs7:Manipur Police
Years8:2023
Clubs8:Odisha
Caps8:8
Goals8:6
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:Manipur Police
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalteam1:India U17
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:5
Nationalyears2:2006–2007
Nationalteam2:India U19
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:5
Nationalyears3:2005–2023
Nationalteam3:India
Nationalcaps3:64
Nationalgoals3:52
Club-Update:1 October 2021
Ntupdate:1 November 2023

Ngangom Bala Devi (born 2 February 1990) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the club Manipur Police and the India national team.

Club career

Born in Manipur, Devi grew up playing the game with mainly boys.[1] She was a part of the Manipur U-19 team that took part in the Under-19 Women's Championship in Assam in 2002. After the tournament she was declared the best player of the tournament.[1] She was awarded the same title the next year in 2003.[1] She also earned top-scorer awards at the under-17 level for her state.[1] Eventually, Devi went on to represent the Manipur Senior Women's Football Team in the Senior Women's National Football Championship.[2] She was very influential in her state, winning the women's football championship in 2014, scoring a brace as Manipur defeated Odisha in the final 3–1.[3] This was Manipur's first championship since 2010 and their 17th overall. While playing with Manipur, Devi was teammates with India captain and AIFF Women's Player of Year, Oinam Bembem Devi.[3] She finished the tournament scoring 29 goals in seven matches.[1]

During the 2015 National Games of India, Devi represented her state as they won the gold medal. She scored the equalizer in the final against Odisha to make it 1–1 at the Corporation Stadium. The team went on to win the match 4–2 on penalties.[4]

In 2014, Devi signed a contract with New Radiant WSC[5] of Maldives in the FAM Women's Football Championship alongside players Oinam Bembem Devi and Lako Phuti Bhutia.

She played inaugural season of Indian Women's League 2016–17 with Manipur Police Sports Club in qualifying round and in Final Round played with Eastern Sporting Union. In 2017–18 IWL 2nd season she joined KRYPHSA and in 2018–19 IWL 3rd season she re-joined Manipur Police Sports Club.

In January 2020, Devi signed a professional contract of 18 months with Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers, making her one of the few Indian women to become a professional footballer abroad.[6] [7] On 6 December 2020, she became the first Indian woman to score in a professional football league in Europe by netting for the Rangers, as they won against Motherwell by 9–0.[8] An ankle injury ruled her out for the rest of the matches and she later parted ways with the club.

In December 2022, Devi moved to Spain along with Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, and underwent training cum trial stint at Spanish Segunda Federación club Málaga.[9]

In 2023, she signed with Indian Women's League debutant Odisha WFC.[10]

International career

Devi's first tournament with the national team was at the under-17 level in 2005.[1] She has represented India at the senior level since 2005.[11] She also represented the India women's under-19 side in 2006 and 2007.[12] [13] She was a part of the India team that took part in the first women's SAFF Championship in 2010.[14] On 13 December 2010 she scored five goals in India's opening match of the tournament against Bhutan as India won 18–0.[15] India went on to win the tournament, defeating Nepal 1–0.[16] She scored total 8 goals in 5 matches.

Despite being a part of the 2010 winning team, Devi was not included in the India squad that won the tournament again in 2012.[17] She did return to the team for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers in May 2013 but India failed to qualify.[18]

On 27 October 2014, it was announced that Devi was selected into the India squad that was to participate in the 2014 SAFF Women's Championship, her first SAFF Championship since 2010.[19] She started the tournament in fantastic form as she scored four goals in the opening match against Maldives.[20] Her form continued into the next match against Bangladesh as she scored a brace in a 5–1 victory for India.[21] [22] Devi then scored five more goals in the final group stage match against Afghanistan on 17 November.[23] [24] She finished the group stage with eleven goals from three matches.[25]

During the semi-final against Sri Lanka Devi scored only once in a 5–0 thrashing.[26] However, in the final, Devi managed to find the net four times as India defeated Nepal 6–0 to claim their third straight SAFF Championship crown.[27] [28]

Devi finished the 2014 SAFF Championship with sixteen goals in only five matches.[2] Due to her performance in the tournament, Devi was awarded the Women's Player of the Year award by the All India Football Federation.[2] Also awarded in the next year 2015 Indian Women's Player of the Year. In 2016 South Asian Games she scored 3 goals in 5 matches. She also captained India women's national football team in 2016 SAFF Women's Championship. She also clinched the title first time as a captain.

Personal life

While a semi-professional footballer in India, Devi also worked as a policewoman for the Manipur Police. She was promoted to Inspector rank following her impressive performance in football for Rangers.[1] She completed her education at the Oinam Thambal Marik College.[1]

Career statistics

Appearances and Goals by year
YearAppsGoals
200741
2010512
201133
201200
201340
20141118
201520
201673
201771
201844
201997
Total5649

International goals

Score and results list India's goal tally first, score column indicates score after Bala Devi's goal.

Key
Unofficial friendly (Non FIFA A) international matches
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1.20 October 2007Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurgaon, India3–1 3–12008 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification
2.13 December 2010Cox's Bazar Stadium, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh1–018–02010 SAFF Women's Championship
3. 2–0
4. 4–0
5. 5–0
6. 7–0
7.15 December 20101–0 7–0
8.17 December 20101–06–0
9. 2–0
10. 3–0
11.21 December 20101–08–0
12.2–0
13.3–0
14. 18 March 2011 Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh1–0 3–0 2012 Summer Olympics qualification
15. 2–0
16. 3–0
17.14 September 2014Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, Incheon, South Korea3–015–02014 Asian Games
18.8–0
19. 13 November 2014 1–0 8–0 2014 SAFF Women's Championship
20. 2–0
21. 4–0
22. 5–0
23. 15 November 2014 3–1 5–1
24. 5–1
25. 17 November 2014 2–0 12–0
26. 4–0
27. 6–0
28. 7–0
29. 11–0
30. 19 November 2014 2–0 5–0
31. 21 November 2014 2–0 6–0
32. 3–0
33. 5–0
34. 6–0
35. 13 February 2016 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, India2–0 5–1 2016 South Asian Games
36. 5–1
37. 15 February 2016 3–0 4–0
38. 7 April 2017 Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea1–4 1–7 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification
39.11 November 2018Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar2–07–12020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
40.3–0
41.5–0
42.7–0
‡4 August 2019Estadi municipal Els Arcs de L'alcúdia, Spain3–07–02019 COTIF Cup
43. 29 August 2019 Yakkasary Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan1–0 1–5 Friendly
44. 3 December 2019 2–0 5–0 2019 South Asian Games
45. 3–0
46. 5 December 2019 6–0 6–0
47. 7 December 2019 1–0 1–0
48. 9 December 2019 1–0 2–0
49. 2–0

Honours

India

Eastern Sporting Union

Manipur

New Radiant WSC

2015

Individual

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Yen. Samarjit. AIFF's Footballer of the year: Ng Bala Devi. 15 March 2015. IFP.co.in. 3 January 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143923/http://ifp.co.in/page/items/24749/aiffs-footballer-of-the-year-ng-bala-devi. dead.
  2. News: International Women's Day Special: Interview with Indian women's football team striker Ngangom Bala Devi. 15 March 2015. SportsKeeda. 8 March 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130844/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/international-womens-day-special-interview-with. live.
  3. News: It's title No. 17 for Manipur women. 15 March 2015. The Hindu. 13 May 2014. 19 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140619235227/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/its-title-no-17-for-manipur-women/article6002275.ece. live.
  4. News: Manipur clinch 4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals Manipur ranked at 7th position on the 10th day. 15 March 2015. E-Pao. 10 February 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402122540/http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Sport1..110215.feb15. live.
  5. Web site: Biju Babu. Cyriac. Bala Devi who earlier played in Maldives for New Radiant sports club. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. 30 January 2020. 23 May 2021. 23 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523020907/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/bala-devi-1st-indian-woman-footballer-to-bag-contract-with-foreign-club/articleshow/73753669.cms. live.
  6. Web site: Rangers Sign Indian International Bala Devi . Rangers Football Club . 29 January 2020 . 29 January 2020 . 12 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200512200818/https://rangers.co.uk/news/women/rangers-sign-indian-international-bala-devi/ . live .
  7. Web site: An Indian footballer in Europe: Before Bala Devi, there was Sujata Kar and a huge lost opportunity. scroll.in. Scroll. 27 April 2020. 23 August 2022. Abhijeet. Kulkarni. https://web.archive.org/web/20210502082048/https://scroll.in/field/959905/an-indian-footballer-in-europe-before-bala-devi-there-was-sujata-kar-and-a-huge-lost-opportunity. 2 May 2021.
  8. Web site: Bala Devi becomes first Indian woman footballer to score in Europe . Goal.com . 6 December 2020 . 9 December 2020 . 8 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201208143729/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/bala-devi-rangers-motherwell-scottish-league/18wghizlk35218w1utmuhb7s4 . live .
  9. Web site: Bala sets sights on Spain's top division. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. The Times of India. Panaji. Marcus. Mergulhao. 4 January 2023. 4 January 2023. TNN. https://web.archive.org/web/20230103185128/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/bala-sets-sights-on-spains-top-division/articleshow/96719645.cms?from=mdr. 3 January 2023. live.
  10. Web site: IWL: Tough battle awaits for debutants Churchill Brothers . timesofindia.indiatimes.com . . TNN . Goa . 24 April 2023 . 24 April 2023 . 24 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424053654/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/iwl-tough-battle-awaits-debutants-churchill-bros/articleshow/99714198.cms . live .
  11. Web site: Football Squad . Tribune India . 14 June 2005 . 22 September 2022 . 2 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002160236/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050614/sports.htm#11 . live .
  12. News: Bala Devi Ready for 2018 Asian Women's Championships qualifiers . 2 April 2017 . 2 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170402165833/http://www.the-afc.com/womens-asian-cup-2018/sky%E2%80%99s-the-limit-for-india%E2%80%99s-bala-devi . live .
  13. News: Indian soccer eves to face Kyrgyzstan. 15 March 2015. Tribune India. 4 March 2006. 22 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222012849/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060305/sports.htm#9. live.
  14. News: Team India announced for Women's SAFF Cup. 15 March 2015. Arunfoot. 9 December 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130702213948/http://arunfoot.blogspot.com/2010/12/team-india-announced-for-womens-saff.html. 2 July 2013. dmy-all.
  15. News: Women's SAFF Cup: India hammer Bhutan. 15 March 2015. Arunfoot. 14 December 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402214856/http://arunfoot.blogspot.com/2010/12/womens-saff-cup-india-hammer-bhutan.html. 2 April 2015. dmy-all.
  16. News: India edge Nepal to win SAFF Women's Championship. 15 March 2015. Dawn. 23 December 2010. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132411/http://www.dawn.com/news/593101/india-edge-nepal-to-win-inaugural-saff-womens-championship. live.
  17. News: Madaan. Sachin. Indian Football: Its The Ladies Time To Shine Now As SAFF Women's Championship 2012 Gets Underway. 15 March 2015. The Hard Tackle. 8 September 2012. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131828/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2012/indian-football-its-the-ladies-time-to-shine-now-as-saff-women%E2%80%99s-championship-2012-gets-underway/. live.
  18. News: India squad announced for Women's Asian Cup qualifiers. 15 March 2015. Times of India. 12 May 2013. 2 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210402084638/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/India-squad-announced-for-Womens-Asian-Cup-qualifiers/articleshow/20015471.cms. live.
  19. News: 22-member Squad announced for SAFF Women's Championship. 15 March 2015. The All India Football Federation. 27 October 2014. 28 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170228091533/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6028. live.
  20. News: Jabbar Faisal. Abdul. India crush Maldives 8-0, Bangladesh outplay Afghanistan 6-1. 15 March 2015. Daily Times. 14 November 2014.
  21. News: Indian eves thrash Bangladesh 5-1 SAFF Football Championship. 15 March 2015. Times of India. 15 November 2014. 4 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904124244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Indian-eves-thrash-Bangladesh-5-1-SAFF-Football-Championship/articleshow/45160760.cms. live.
  22. Web site: Ngangom India rout Bangladesh 5-1 . . Mohsin Ali . 16 November 2014 . 20 November 2014 . 19 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141119143350/http://nation.com.pk/sports/16-Nov-2014/india-rout-bangladesh-5-1 . live .
  23. Web site: Ngangom sparkles in India's 12-0 rout over Afghans . Awaz.tv . 18 November 2014 . 20 November 2014 . 29 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129075313/http://www.awaztoday.com/News_Ngangom-sparkles-in-Indias-12-0-rout-over-Afghans_2_51990_Sports-News.aspx . live .
  24. Web site: Ngangom sparkles in India's 12-0 rout over Afghans . . Mohsin Ali . 18 November 2014 . 20 November 2014 . 19 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141119165919/http://nation.com.pk/sports/18-Nov-2014/ngangom-sparkles-in-india-s-12-0-rout-over-afghans . live .
  25. Web site: We are enjoying in Pakistan, says Indian footballer . . Kashif Abbasi . 18 November 2014 . 20 November 2014 . 23 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141123083203/http://www.dawn.com/news/1145111 . live .
  26. News: Abbasi. Kashif. Indian women close in on hat-trick of SAFF crowns. 15 March 2015. Dawn. 20 November 2014. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181027/http://www.dawn.com/news/1145551. live.
  27. News: India women thrash Nepal 6-0 to win SAFF football championship. 15 March 2015. Times of India. 21 November 2014. 25 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141125083027/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/India-women-thrash-Nepal-6-0-to-win-SAFF-football-championship/articleshow/45231921.cms. live.
  28. Web site: Breaking News: India Clinch 3rd SAFF Championship Beating Nepal . GoalNepal.com . 21 November 2014 . 2 February 2015 . 2 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150202225518/http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=22451 . live .
  29. Web site: South Asian Games: Bala Devi grabs brace as India mauls Maldives 5–0. 14 September 2023.
  30. Web site: Indian women's football team trounces Sri Lanka 6–0 in South Asian Games. 14 September 2023.
  31. Web site: AIFF`S Women Footballer Of The Year: Ng Bala . Kangla Online . Yen . Samarjit . 2 January 2015 . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922120527/http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/aiffs-footballer-of-the-year-ng-bala-devi/ . live .
  32. Web site: Orissa runenrs-up . Orisports . 16 March 2008 . 1 October 2022 . 1 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001195211/http://www.orisports.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nId=NTgx . live .
  33. Web site: Manipur’s monopoly continues . Sportstar . 28 March 2009 . 30 August 2022 . 30 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830051428/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/magazine/manipurs-monopoly-continues/article29705909.ece . live .
  34. Web site: Manipur champions for the 22nd time in Sr Women's NFC for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy . AIFF . 15 May 2024 .
  35. Web site: National Games 2022, October 10 HIGHLIGHTS: Manipur wins women’s football gold; Tamil Nadu tops Group A in men’s volleyball . Sportstar . 10 October 2022 . 28 October 2022 . 28 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028062338/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/national-games/national-games-2022-october-10-live-updates-results-highlights-gujarat/article65991366.ece . live .
  36. Web site: RISING STUDENT CLUB CROWNED CHAMPIONS OF HERO IWL. 14 April 2018. 28 November 2022. 6 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190206093409/https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=8910. live.
  37. Web site: Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan named winners of annual AIFF Awards. 2021-07-21. www.the-aiff.com. 22 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722014305/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/bala-devi-manisha-kalyan-named-winners-of-annual-aiff-awards. live.
  38. Web site: 16 tournaments, 11,000 players: A hectic 2023–24 domestic season with class and character. 18 June 2024. 18 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240618135956/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/16-tournaments-11000-players-a-hectic-2023-24-domestic-season-with-class-and-character. 18 June 2024. New Delhi. the-aiff.com. All India Football Federation. AIFF. Media Team.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bala Devi".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.