Ngangom Bala Devi listed her name in Indian football history books after receiving a professional contract from the Scottish League club, Glasgow Rangers Women’s FC. Reporting from the BBC, Ngangom Bala Devi became the first Indian female footballer to be contracted by a European club.
Rangers announced the recruitment of the Bala Devi on January 29, 2020. The 29-year-old player was contracted with a duration of 18 months. The journey to Rangers FC started for her a few months ago. When in November 2019, she visited the Rangers facility in Glasgow for six days and managed to impress the technical staff.
Bala Devi is determined to make India proud through football. “I want to make India proud,” Bala Devi said. “For us in Manipur (the birthplace of Bala Devi), girls have the opportunity to be involved in sports,” she added. “We face a lot of comments, but that makes me want to prove myself,” Bala Devi added.
Bala Devi has been interested in the world of sports since childhood. Besides football, she also plays tennis and handball. She then became interested in football because it was inspired by his father.
“I really like sports. I play with boys every day and I beat them!” said Bala Devi. At the age of 11, Bala Devi joined a local soccer club, ICSA. Together with the club, she often participated in matches in his area.
The player who plays the attacker claims she is idolizing two world soccer legends, namely Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Bala Devi also made United States national team player Megan Rapinoe and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo his favorite players.
Before being signed by Rangers, Bala Devi played for the Manipur Police club which competed in the Indian Women’s Football League. The player born on February 2, 1990 was the top scorer in the last two seasons. In addition, Bala Devi who is also a member of the Indian women’s national football team was once named the Best Female Indian Player in 2015 and 2016.
Currently, she is preparing for her new journey. “They have different body structures and fitness levels, but I am sure I will give my best to do well,” she says. Bala Devi will be playing with her Number 10 jersey, which she used in India too.
