Famous international football player Ngangom Bala Devi has expressed sadness over the month-long ongoing unrest in Manipur and appealed to all to join hands to bring back normalcy in the violence-hit state.
Speaking to the state Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Bala Devi lamented that there are various daily requirements of the sportspersons and such unrest hampers their activities.
“During the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sportspersons have missed out on their much-needed training schedules and participation in the national and international sporting tournaments. And with such prevailing unrest in the state, the bright talents and future of the sportspersons, aspiring sportspersons, youths and future generations will be disturbed.”
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Appealing to all to join hands to bring back normalcy and peaceful co-existence among all ethnic communities residing in Manipur, Bala Devi also recollected how her European counterparts have had high regard for the state and appreciated peaceful and high-value systems of life.
“I remember fondly narrating about the beautiful cultures, traditions and disciplined lifestyles of the people of our state, Manipur also known as The Land of Jewel – ‘Sanaleibak’ to my European counterparts during my stay there. They have high regard for the state and appreciated peaceful and high-value systems of life,” she added.
Ngangom Bala Devi plays as a forward for Odisha FC and the Indian women's national football team. She is the first Indian woman to sign a contract with a European football club.
Former captain of the Indian women’s football team and three-time winner of the All-India Football Federation’s (AIFF) woman ‘Footballer of the Year’ title, Bala Devi is currently serving as an inspector in the Manipur Police Department.
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