Manipur’s Ngangom Bala becomes first Indian woman footballer to score in European professional league

IMPHAL:

By Halley Nongmaithem

Manipur’s Ngangom Bala Devi won her first competitive goal for Rangers at the 85th minute in their 9-0 win against the Motherwell Rangers Women’s Football Club on Sunday.

Devi became the first-ever Indian woman footballer to score in a European professional league game.

The 30-year-old Devi is also the first Indian woman to play professional football for a European club.

Before joining Rangers WFC, Bala has won three South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship trophies in 2010, 2014, and 2016.

She had also received the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2014 and 2015.

Ngangom Bala Devi joined the Scottish Women’s Premier League club Rangers in January 2020 for an 18 month-long contract.

She holds the rank of constable in the Manipur Police Force, but the state government under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has promoted her to Inspector because of her recent feat.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)

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