Oinam Bembem Devi Biography 
Oinam Bembem Devi is an Indian female footballer from Imphal, Manipur. She is nicknamed the "Durga of Indian Football". She now plays for Eastern Sporting Union, and is currently involved in spreading awareness about Women's football in the country. She is a recipient of the prestigious sports award, Arjuna Award in 2017. She remained a member of national female team during 1995–2016. She appeared in a total of 86 international games, scoring 32 goals in total. She has also played for the football club New Radiant. She plays as a midfielder for her team, and wears Jersey no: 6.
Oinam Bembem Devi was born on 4 April 1980 in Imphal, Manipur. She began her career as a footballer in 1988 at the age of 8. She began training at the United Pioneers Club in Imphal. Three years later she got selected to Manipur U-13 team in the sub-junior football tournament. She made a shining overall performance in the tournament which helped her to sign for Yawa Singjamei Leishangthem Lekai club. Two years later she was signed by Social Union Nascent.
She joined National team in 1995 at the age of only 15 and played her last tournament in 2016, thus associating herself with the team for more than two decades. She made her international debut against Guam in the Asian Women's Championships. 1996 Asian Games became a turning point of her national career, though Indian team couldn’t make big gains. She also remained a regular member of the Manipur state football team since 1993.
She led her state team to victory as a captain in 32nd National Games held in Hyderabad. As a captain of national team, she led India to victory in 11th South Asian Games held in Bangladesh in 2010 and the 2012 SAFF Women's Championship held in Sri Lanka in 2012.
Published: January 28, 2019
Updated: January 28, 2019
