Mary Kom juggling boxing, parenting, public life inspires Bala Devi

Ngangom Bala Devi, who has just made the transition from little-known to a well-known footballer, says M C Mary Kom's ability to juggle boxing, parenting and public life "motivated" her to write an inspiring story of her own. "She (Mary Kom) is such a legend. I am only amazed at how she manages boxing and all other important things even now, she is mother to three children. She inspires me," Devi told PTI in a telephonic interview. The 'oohs' and 'aahs' could be heard from the other side even before the champion boxer's full name was mentioned.

Mary Kom inspires Bala Devi

Devi recently scripted history by signing up with renowned Scottish side Rangers FC to become the first Indian woman to play outside the country professionally. Football has been Devi's "life", a partner whose all-encompassing presence often make her feel the world starts and ends with it. So much so, that she has also never felt the need to get married, start a family of her own and then begin another innings, just like one of her role models -- M C Mary Kom. The Manipuri footballer, from Irengbam in Bishnupur district, turned 30 on Sunday and asked if the youngest of four siblings plans to tie the nuptial knot in near future, she responded in the negative.

While Devi, herself an achiever now in her chosen field, says she gazes in astonishment at the 36-year-old Mary Kom's indomitable spirit to continue and add to her six world championship gold medals and an Olympic bronze, she can not imagine herself thriving in sport while being a wife and mother.

"I have never thought about about marriage and all, my parents also never tried to convince me. My focus is only on football. That is all," said Devi, who also looks up to the great Oinam Bembem Devi.

"I have learnt so much from didi (Bembem Devi), she has been there from the time I started," said Devi, who has also captained the national team.

Employed with Manipur police as a constable, she credited her father for backing her all along.

"There is still long way to go but without my father's support, I would say I would not have come this far. He was the one who would take me to football matches in the locality. Being a footballer himself, he understood my passion," said Devi, whose sister also played at district level and whose game in the midfield she loved.

While her life has been documented since she signed on the dotted lines for Rangers, Devi recalled the time of struggle when she would not have enough to buy herself football kits. She remembered the days when she would go out and find herself playing among boys in her locality before eventually forming an all-girls team called ICSA. Things gradually began to change after she represented Manipur in the U-19 nationals in 2001-02.

But Devi's career got the much-needed impetus when she was called up to the senior Indian team, aged just 15.  She is now the current top-scorer for India, netting 52 times in 58 games, and is also the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region. She was named the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Women's Player of the Year twice  in 2015 and 2016  and has been the top-scorer in the Indian Women's League for the past two seasons. She will also be remembered as the first Asian footballer at Rangers FC.