Legendary footballer Oinam Bembem Devi announces retirement
Oinam Bembem Devi has finally decided to ride into the sunset without any fanfare – very much in line with the rest of her career. Most of the nation remains oblivious to her achievements, and her inspirational contribution to women's football in this nation, which is yet to have its own domestic league as we head into 2016.
"Today is the last day of 2015, I hereby officially announce my retirement from football. I have been lucky enough to have had a wonderful career representing my country for 20 years and the State team for 24 years. The upcoming AIFF 21st Senior womens National will be the last tournament I would play for the state team. It's been an incredible journey and I enjoyed every moment of playing," Bembem wrote in a Facebook post.
Since making her debut for the national team in 1995 - at the age of 15 – Bembem Devi has earned 18 caps for India. The fact that she has played only 18 matches in 20 years, depicts a grim picture of the state of women's football in this nation.
Bembem Devi was signed by Maldivian football club New Radiant in 2014, and she ended the tournament as the top scorer, and also won the player of the tournament award. With no domestic league in place for women's football in India, Bembem Devi did not get the chance to showcase her talents in this nation. Despite all the obstacles, she is undoubtedly the greatest women footballer India has ever produced, and the younger generation looks up to her for inspiration.
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