After the likes of Pyari Xaxa and Lindo Kom Serto, Odisha FC Women added the central jewel in their attacking lineup on Friday by confirming the signing of Bala Devi for the upcoming season of Indian Women’s League (IWL).
The Manipur striker joined the Indian club awaiting their foray into IWL on a one-year-contract despite undergoing a training-cum-trial stint at the Spanish Segunda Federation club Malaga FC, along with Elangam Panthoi Chanu, in December 2022.
Bala had been a nemesis for Odisha in her national championship days with Manipur. She scored a brace in her state’s 3-1 win over Odisha in the final of the Women’s National Championship in 2014 and was the scorer of the regulation-time equalizer at the final of National Games against the same team that led to the northeast team’s triumph in the penalty in 2015.
However, the most successful Indian footballer of her generation, who missed a couple of IWL seasons due to her European sojourn, would be plying her trade in Bhubaneswar at least for the 2023 edition of the domestic competition.
OFC Women already have a stellar lineup under coach Crispin Chhetri and the roping in of Bala will only add to their tag of being the team to beat this season. Although Sports Odisha have booked a direct entry to the main stage of the premier women’s competition from the state by virtue of being one of the top four finishers last season, OFC Women have already shown their might by topping Odisha Women’s League this time around.
Bala will also bring with her the experience of playing with the Scottish champions, Rangers Women, and the hard work she put into her improvement by staying back in Glasgow during the lockdown will be on show in India for the Odisha side.
Bala’s comeback into the national team fold — with her callup for the Olympic qualifiers by India coach Thomas Dennerby — will also be a chance for Bala to hone her skills further ahead of the April qualifiers. Having amassed 36 goals in 46 games in India colours, one has to wait a little longer to find out her opening season tally for Odisha FC Women.
