The hate that has engulfed Manipur has to stop now: Bala Devi | Off the field News – Times of India
KOLKATA: She was in Bhubaneswar, preparing for Indian Women’s League (IWL) for Odisha FC Women, when the clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3. Since then, Ngangom Bala Devi, deeply affected by the violence in her home state, put out an ardent appeal for peace to everyone involved.
The star Indian footballer spoke to TOI to express her frustration over the crisis that has stopped sporting activities in a state that has been a crucible of Indian sports, especially football. “We just want peace. Let the differences be solved through dialogues and on paper, not by violence,” Bala said on the sidelines of the Elite Women’s Football Trials here on Tuesday. “I have represented my state and country for years, and all of us – Meiteis, Kukis and others – have played together for India. It has never bothered us. This hate that has engulfed the state has to stop now.”
India’s most successful woman striker also spoke of the uncertainty faced by her family and loved amidst the ongoing violence. “They have managed to be safe so far. But it has been very difficult for them and for me,” said the former attacker of Scottish champions Rangers FC.
Bala and Elangbam Pathoi Chanu – who is also part of the trials organised by Women In Sports – had been part of the Manipur team at the just-concluded Senior National Women’s Championships, and spoke of the difficulties faced by the 21-time champions who could not go beyond the group stage this time around.
“We could get very little training before the championships. There are girls in the state team from everywhere and they could not reach the training site,” Chanu, the young India goalkeeper said.
“It was really difficult for us, especially at night, when I returned to Manipur ahead of the championships. There was this constant fear and we used to be ready to run in case something happened.”
Although it has been a difficult couple of months for the Manipuri sportspersons, Bala was back at the second edition of the women’s trials in the city with the sole intention of supporting the other 27 footballers chosen for the camp, which was attended by five leading scouts from Australia, Spain and the Czech Republic.
The star Indian footballer spoke to TOI to express her frustration over the crisis that has stopped sporting activities in a state that has been a crucible of Indian sports, especially football. “We just want peace. Let the differences be solved through dialogues and on paper, not by violence,” Bala said on the sidelines of the Elite Women’s Football Trials here on Tuesday. “I have represented my state and country for years, and all of us – Meiteis, Kukis and others – have played together for India. It has never bothered us. This hate that has engulfed the state has to stop now.”
India’s most successful woman striker also spoke of the uncertainty faced by her family and loved amidst the ongoing violence. “They have managed to be safe so far. But it has been very difficult for them and for me,” said the former attacker of Scottish champions Rangers FC.
Bala and Elangbam Pathoi Chanu – who is also part of the trials organised by Women In Sports – had been part of the Manipur team at the just-concluded Senior National Women’s Championships, and spoke of the difficulties faced by the 21-time champions who could not go beyond the group stage this time around.
“We could get very little training before the championships. There are girls in the state team from everywhere and they could not reach the training site,” Chanu, the young India goalkeeper said.
“It was really difficult for us, especially at night, when I returned to Manipur ahead of the championships. There was this constant fear and we used to be ready to run in case something happened.”
Although it has been a difficult couple of months for the Manipuri sportspersons, Bala was back at the second edition of the women’s trials in the city with the sole intention of supporting the other 27 footballers chosen for the camp, which was attended by five leading scouts from Australia, Spain and the Czech Republic.
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