‘I am living a dream’

Oinam Bembem Devi thanked her team mates as she bid an emotional farewell to the game, hanging up her boots to mark an end to a career spanning more than two decades.

“My junior players promised me the gold medal and they kept their word. I am very happy,” the most capped Indian woman football player said after captaining the team to an emphatic 4-0 win over Nepal to defend their title in the 12th South Asian Games, in Shillong on Monday night.

“It looks like I am living a dream. I had never imagined that my playing career would span over two decades and here I am today.

“I want to thank the All India Football Federation for giving me the opportunity to represent the country and all the coaches who made me a better player. The last two decades have been nothing short of spectacular,” Bembem said.

The Manipuri footballer now wants to spend time coaching the upcoming players in her home state.

“I am happy that I will now be able to devote my time to the kids back in Manipur who are demanding and asking everyday when will I come and train them,” she was quoted as saying.

The AIFF is also likely to hand her assignment for the U-14 and U-16 teams in coming days, she said.

Devi has also had the distinction of playing in a foreign league when she had inked a deal with the Maldives side New Radiant in 2014 and emerged as the highest scorer of the championship with six goals in only three matches.

Having made her international debut at age 15 against Guam, Bembem Devi came into the spotlight against traditional heavyweights Japan during the 1996 Asian Games.

India lost the match by a solitary goal but her nimble footwork was applauded by pundits around the continent.

She became national team captain in 2003 and successfully guided India to their first major title at the 2010 South Asian Games.

She also led the country to SAFF Championship success later that year.