Bala Devi returns to footballing action for Rangers FC in Scotland

The Indian football ecosystem has already started to move forward together with the Hero I-League Qualifier 2020 and Mohammedan Sporting already sealing a berth in the Hero I-League 2020-21. The Qualifier has been the first-ever sporting action in India organised by any sporting Federation since the lockdown.

Add to that — around four-and-a-half thousand miles away, another Indian has just hit the pitch.

Indian Women’s National Team forward Bala Devi had decided to stay back in Glasgow, Scotland during the worldwide lockdown enforced by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now, however, the 30-year-old is back on the field as the Scottish Women’s Premier League resumed on October 18, 2020.

Rangers Women FC got off to a flying start with a 5-1 victory over SWPL side Hearts on Sunday as Bala Devi also made her return to the pitch, coming on as a second-half substitute.

“It was really good to be back on the football pitch once again. Being away from the pitch for so many months is not a good feeling,” Bala said to the AIFF Media.

“But all those months of hard work paid off, and we have now started off with a win but this is only the start of a long season ahead.”

Bala had been training for the Rangers for around two months ahead of her first post-pandemic game against Hearts Women FC.

“I have been training with the team for about a couple of months now, and hopefully we will be physically ready to go once the league starts,” Bala said.

“Of course, our team gave us our fitness programmes, which was optional for us to follow when the pandemic struck. But I made it a point to follow the training modules given to me,” said Bala. “The workouts I could do at home, I did indoors. I found a park near my home here in Glasgow, and did most of my training there, when it was safe to go out. Since there was a lot of open space I was also able to do some running, and that felt good.”

Such was her determination to keep her mind within the realm of the ‘Beautiful Game’ that she doubled up her training efforts by joining her teammates from the Indian Women’s Team to train together online.

“It was fun to get together with my buddies from the National Team and train with them over video conferencing. It’s not something that I have done often. But this is one of the things that has developed because of the lockdown,” she continued.

However, it has not always been an easy time at her new home in the British Isles. Moving to a new country where one does not know as many people takes its toll.

“The first month I was feeling quite lonely because all the other players went home as they were from nearby areas — or at least from somewhere in the UK or the neighbouring countries. It was just a few others and myself that actually stayed back,” said Bala.

“But I kept in touch with everyone and that helped. The coaches also took good care of me. They even took me out shopping once the lockdown was over. These are very small things in the larger scheme of things, but they do help lighten your spirits,” she continued.

“I’ve been in this set frame of mind since May. All I’ve thought about is how to work on my fitness. I repeatedly kept thinking that I should not have any physical issues once we actually start playing football,” she averred. “From as far back as I can remember, this really was the longest period I spent away from the pitch, and I’m just glad that this phase is over now.”

The mercurial India striker feels that the months she spent in self-isolation gave her a new perspective on how to do things.

“That time really taught me how we should be ready for different situations in life. We never know what may happen. A few years back, I would have laughed if anyone had told me that all major global activities would come to a standstill for a few months. But that is what happened,” she said.

“We should all be ready to adjust ourselves according to the problems that life throws at us. If we are flexible, we can manoeuvre our way through anything. Take everything into your stride and be the best that you can in any given situation.”

 

Credits: AIFF Media


Also Read: Young Rijal scores two on debut as Mohammedan cruise to a 4-1 victory

Follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.

SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players

SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…

Share

India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here

India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…

Share

Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind

Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.

Share

Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign

Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…

Share

BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls

The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…

Share

Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team

Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…

Share

The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back

The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…

Share

BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb

Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE).  Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…

Share

India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career

After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…

Share

Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League

Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…

Share