The 22nd title of the recently concluded senior national women's football championship was probably the most cherished moment for Bala Devi. 

An icon in Indian women's football with more than 80 international matches for India continued her goal-scoring spree also in the final against Haryana, helping Manipur to clinch their 22nd title on 15th May at the Kishore Bharati Stadium. 

Bala remembered she already has been part of the senior national championship-winning team for the last 19 times out of the 22nd title the state achieved. 

Still, the title this season will be most memorable to her. The reason is the ethnic violence that has jeopardised the state for almost the last eight months. Bala's house is 21 kilometres away from the state capital Imphal, in the Bishnupur district and the violence was more intense in these border areas. 

In a bid to save her family Bala had to take her family members often to the nearby mountain jungle which is one-and-half kilometres up from her house. “Those days were horrible. Several households including a few of our neighbours were attacked sometimes. Some of their houses were burnt also. All of our family members had to take shelter in the nearby mountain jungle and it happened often during that phase. It was simply nightmarish. I just did not think of football at that time."

The 35-year-old striker joined the state team's preparatory camp after the situation improved a little bit. "We were not sure that we would clinch the title as we did not have proper training within such a short time. Still, we promised ourselves that winning the nationals will be the only satisfaction and that is why I feel this title will be remembered most.” 

Bala Devi who created history by playing for premier Scottish team Ranger FC in 2020 and also was offered by second division Spanish team in 2022 has a dream of producing footballers of international standard at her village. 

Bala who has already acquired a C-license coaching degree concluded by saying, "There are a lot of potential girls in my village Irengbam. But the village does not have infrastructure. I have plans to appeal to the state government, and the state football association to build up an infrastructure for training in the future." 

Now Bala Devi will start preparation for the IWL this season.