"I Am hopeful": Bala Devi On Extension Of Her Rangers Term

Bala Devi On FC Rangers: Indian footballer Bala Devi said she is hopeful for an extension of her stay at the Rangers FC after her contract term ending on June 6.

Bala is the first Indian woman to earn a professional football contract abroad after signing for Scottish giant Rangers FC in January last year. While speaking to PTI, she said she is hopeful that her term will be extended given her performance in the Rangers coaching set-up over the last one-and-half year.

She said that she has an 18-month contract that will end on June 6 with the conclusion of the league. Hence she cant conclude exactly what she has in store for the future but will have discussions with Rangers after June 6. She told PTI, "I have tried to give my best and I am hopeful I have tried to give my best and I am hopeful but you can’t predict anything."

"As a professional footballer, it really felt good to train and for a big side like Rangers for a full season," the 31-year-old said, "I have gained plenty of experience from this stint."

Bala, the first Asian international footballer to represent Rangers FC, stayed back in Glasgow owing to the COVID-19 pandemic of last year. Since then, she has been staying away from her family that made her "definitely worried about her parents" who hails from a village in Manipur.

Moreover, with no games around, because of the lockdown, Bala admitted getting emotional and experiencing toughness all around. Admitting she didn't know what to do, she further said, "But then I realised why I came here for."

Bala Devi Against COVID-19

Last year, while staying in Glasgow, she joined the fight against the COVID-19 virus by joining the Asian Football Confederation’s awareness campaign. She urged people to abide by the COVID-19 protocols by wearing masks and following social distancing.