‘I changed my name to a boy’s to take part in local matches’

Mumbai: If you remember Gurinder Chadha’s 2002 runaway hit Bend It Like Beckham, you’d recall a soccer crazy Jess Bhamra (played by Parminder Nagra) kicking the ball in the park with the boys, because her family won’t let her play, as “girls don’t play football”. We don’t know if Chadha knows of Oinam Bembem Devi but she appears to be the real Jess. The 35-year old midfielder from the Indian women’s team started her career dribbling with the boys in local matches in Manipur – her hometown.

The former captain who is still representing India as a player, with an illustrious career spanning more than 20 years, says: “I think I was 10 or 11 when I had a boy-cut hairdo and on many occasions, I would even change my name to a boy’s name to be able to play in the local matches. Few women played football and the ones who did, weren’t experienced enough. So, one day, a senior player from the Yawa club spotted me and asked if I was interested to play with them.”

(Photo: AIFF)

She was in Mumbai for FIFA’s ‘Live Your Goals’ programme – an event to boost women’s football in India. In 1997, when Brazil was busy chalking out strategies for the FIFA World Cup the following year, to be held in France, female footballers from India were in Germany getting trained by professional German coaches. India, with a young Devi, beat Hong Kong 3-0, lost 0-1 to a strong Japan squad and thrashed Guam 10-0. Why aren’t women players as talked about as the men? “Talks are on to start an I-League for women. After that, our girls will be known too. Nothing is fixed but All India Football Federation (AIFF) is planning it. If that happens, our performance will get better and people will know us,” assures Devi, who signed more than 50 autographs for the kids present in the ground.

“The future looks bright,” she continues. “I can confidently say that looking at the turnout. Also, AIFF is doing all they can to promote the sport amongst youth. It is a different feeling to be with the kids here,” adds Devi who still seems very fit. Unlike Mary Kom, who is also from her state, she is yet to tie the knot, says there’s no pressure from her family to do so either. Devi says she has spoken to Mary on few occasions and proud of her achievements. Jackichand Singh, the 23-year-old wonder boy from Manipur, is also an apple of her eye. “I love Jackichand’s game,” she says with a smile.

Devi has no illusions about the state of women’s football in the country. “We do not think about ranking much or else we’d be demotivated. Instead, we focus on looking for more sponsors, help from NGOs and private companies. To serve gears for at least 20 players, money is required and only AIFF’s contribution is not enough,” she says. Devi – who won the AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year in twice in two decades (2001 and 2013) – proved that power doesn’t fade with age. “My family ensured I had access to a gym, proper food to eat. So I kept the best health. This kind of a milieu is perfect for a sportsperson to succeed. The physiotherapist and the guide take care of our endurance tests. But one cannot take workout decisions by themselves though individual workouts are a must to stay fit on the football ground. But there is a process to it. It is the sole reason why I have been able to play for 20 years,” she says.