Bala Devi Becomes First Indian Woman to Score 50 International Goals

Ngangom Bala Devi, born on February 2, 1990, has etched her name in Indian football history by becoming the first Indian woman to score 50 international goals. Playing as a forward for the Manipur Police and the Indian national team, Devi’s journey reflects her dedication and significant contributions to women’s football in India. Her recent achievement was celebrated following a goal against Pakistan in the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in Indian sports.

Club Career Highlights

Bala Devi started her career in Manipur, where she showcased her talent from a young age, earning accolades at various youth tournaments. Her professional journey began with New Radiant WSC in the Maldives in 2014, and she later made headlines by signing with Rangers in Scotland, where she became the first Indian woman to score in a European professional league. After a stint in Spain with Málaga, she returned to India to join Odisha WFC.

International Achievements

Devi has been a vital part of the Indian national team since 2005, participating in numerous international tournaments, including the SAFF Women’s Championship and the Asian Games. Her performance in the 2014 SAFF Championship, where she scored 16 goals, earned her recognition as AIFF Women’s Player of the Year. Devi continues to represent India on the international stage, inspiring future generations of female athletes.

Personal Life and Impact

While balancing her football career, Devi also serves as a police inspector in Manipur, highlighting her commitment to both her sport and community. Her journey from local fields to international arenas exemplifies the growing recognition and support for women in sports, encouraging aspiring athletes to pursue their dreams.

Bala Devi’s international goals

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	20 Oct 2007	Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Gurgaon, India	Iran	3–1	3–1	2008 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification
2	13 Dec 2010	Cox’s Bazar Stadium, Bangladesh	Bhutan	1–0	18–0	2010 SAFF Women’s Championship
7	15 Dec 2010	Sri Lanka	1–0	7–0
8	17 Dec 2010	Bangladesh	1–0	6–0
11	21 Dec 2010	Pakistan	1–0	8–0
14	18 Mar 2011	Bangabandhu National Stadium, Bangladesh	Bangladesh	1–0	3–0	2012 Summer Olympics qualification
17	14 Sep 2014	Incheon, South Korea	Maldives	3–0	15–0	2014 Asian Games
19	13 Nov 2014	Islamabad, Pakistan	Maldives	1–0	8–0	2014 SAFF Women’s Championship
23	15 Nov 2014	Bangladesh	3–1	5–1
26	17 Nov 2014	Afghanistan	2–0	12–0
30	19 Nov 2014	Sri Lanka	2–0	5–0
35	13 Feb 2016	Shillong, India	Bangladesh	2–0	5–1	2016 South Asian Games
38	7 Apr 2017	Pyongyang, North Korea	Uzbekistan	1–4	1–7	2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification
43	29 Aug 2019	Tashkent, Uzbekistan	Uzbekistan	1–0	1–5	Friendly
44	3 Dec 2019	Pokhara, Nepal	Maldives	2–0	5–0	2019 South Asian Games
50	17 Oct 2024	Kathmandu, Nepal	Pakistan	3–0	5–2	2024 SAFF Women’s Championship
‡	4 Aug 2019	L’alcúdia, Spain	Mauritania	3–0	7–0	2019 COTIF Cup