Skipper Bembem Devi goes out on a high
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Imphal, February 17 2016: he glow suddenly vanished from her face when Oinam Bembem Devi was asked about her job and her rank in Manipur Police.

"Please don't ask me," she said.

Finally, after repeated requests she opened up.

Are you an Assistant Sub Inspector? No, she said nodding her head.

Head Constable? Yes.

India skipper Bembem, who has won many battles for India over the last two decades, said she has got just one promotion after join- ing the State police 17 years back.

"I joined as a trainee in 1999 and was regularized in the rank of constable in 2000. Nine years later I got pro- moted to head constable and that was it.

I spoke to the Government officials many times about this but nothing happened," the 35-year-old said here after playing her final match in India colors that saw her country winning another gold medal at the South Asian Games.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday, the curtains came down on one of the storied careers in In- dian football.

"During my time it was very difficult to convince my father to allow me to play football.

There were not many ladies playing and I began playing with the boys," she recalled.

That was back in 1991 and soon Bembem was picked to represent Manipur U-13 squad.

"It was always diffi- cult to get into the State team in Manipur as there would al- ways be 30-40 players who were very good.

The selec- tors often admit that it is really tough to pick a squad," she said.

A majority of players in the Indian squad are from Manipur - seven Manipuri girls played in the final against Nepal which India won 4-0. 'It was a parting gift from the girls' Bembem said the win on Monday was the best possi- ble way to hang up her boots by playing her last match in front of a packed stadium.

"This was the first time I've played before such a large crowd in my life.

This was the best moment in my career as I played before so many fans," she said.

"The girls had promised me that they would win the gold for me and delivered the promise," a beaming India skipper said.

Asked about her future plans, Bembem Devi, who has completed AFC-B license course, said she is open to any offer from the All India Football Federation to train the youngsters.

"I will be happy if the AIFF wants me to train the U-14 or U-16 side," Devi said.

Star striker Kamala Devi was happy that the squad gave a fitting gift to her child- hood hero.

"I grew up hearing didi's name on radio and that's how I got inspired to play for the country," she said.

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