Rangers FC signs Bala Devi

Renowned Scottish club Rangers FC on Wednesday announced the signing of women’s national team forward Bala Devi.

Bala with a Rangers jersey

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Bengaluru

Subject to international clearance, the 29-year-old will join the club on an 18-month deal after a successful spell on trial at Rangers in November last year. This will make Bala the first Indian woman to become a professional footballer anywhere in the world and she also becomes Rangers’ first Asian international footballer.

Bala is the current top scorer for the Indian national women’s team, netting an impressive 52 times in 58 games since 2010, which also makes her the top international goal scorer in the South Asian region. She has also served as the national team captain in a distinguished international career, which began when she was called up aged just 15.

Bala has a prolific record at the domestic level with over 100 goals in 120 games. She has been the top scorer in the Indian Women’s League for the past two seasons and has also been named as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Women’s Player of the Year twice, in 2015 and 2016.

Speaking of her delight at signing for Rangers, Bala said: “To play my football in Europe with one of the biggest clubs in the world is something I could never have dreamt of. I hope my move to Rangers serves as an example to all the women footballers in India who dream of taking up the sport professionally.

“I’m looking forward to making the most of the top-class facilities and coaching. I am certain I will benefit immensely from the standard of training and competition. I’m very grateful to Amy McDonald, the coaching staff and the entire management at Rangers for believing in me. Also, this move wouldn’t have been possible without Bengaluru FC which has been instrumental throughout.”

Amy, women’s and girls’ football manager at Rangers FC, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bala to Rangers. She is an exciting signing on so many levels.” Bala’s arrival in Glasgow would not have been easy had Bengaluru not tied up with Rangers in September 2019.

1Sports launched

Lex Sportel Vision Private Limited on Wednesday announced the launch of its sports programming repertoire on its premium sports channel 1Sports. Lex Sportel MD RC Venkateish commented on the development and said, “1Sports will continue to bring the same properties as provided to fans earlier with a different brand name. We want to ensure that the fans continue to get the most out of their favourite sport on our channel.” The channel will be broadcasting the ongoing I-League 2019-20 season.

Rangers FC

signs Bala Devi

Rangers FC signs Bala Devi

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