Oinam Bembem Devi

Who is Oinam Bembem Devi?

Oinam Bembem Devi is an Indian woman footballer born in Imphal in Manipur. Bembem Devi is known for her excellent ball dribbling and footwork. She started her career at the age of 13 playing for School teams in Manipur, later on she got a call up from the Manipur Women's team to play in the National Football Championships in 1993. At the age of 15 Bembem made her International Debut against Guam in the Asian Women's Championships.

The year 1996 was the turning point of her career when she showed brilliant performance for the Indian women's National team in the Asian Games held at Bangkok. Since then she is now known as a prolific goalscorer and has scored more than 50 international goals so far.

She is a regular member of the Manipur State football team for Women and has been representing the team since the year 1993. She was the captain of the Manipur team in the 16th National Football team where Manipur team emerged as the Champions.

She is very hopeful about future of women football in India especially with the Women's National team currently placed 52nd in the FIFA rankings. Bembem Devi will lead India in the forthcoming 2012 SAFF Women's Championship which kicks-off in Colombo from September 7, 2012. She wears no. 6 jersey for India.