Over the years, Oinam Bembem Devi recommended the best Indian men’s football awards for the highest sporting awards in the country. And the Padma Shri, an even greater appreciation.
Late Gostho Paul, Late Celine Manna, Late Chunni Goswami, Late PK Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri – all have been recipients of the fourth highest civilian award. But now, after serving 20 years for the national team, Devi has joined that elite club as well, as she has become the first woman footballer in the country to be honored with the honour.
Congratulations to the Indian Football’s Durga Oinam Bembem Devi on receiving the Padma Shri award. It is indeed a proud moment for all of us in Manipur. May you continue to inspire young girls and boys to fulfill their dreams.@PMOIndia @OfficeofJPNadda pic.twitter.com/lYZfNEDKMm
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) November 8, 2021
“I think this award will inspire young girls. It is the fourth highest civilian award in India and being awarded to a female footballer will inspire little girls to do better and dream big,” said the 41-year-old.
“India has recognition for women footballers, and nothing could be more positive than that. I am overwhelmed by the well wishes and love from people. People are happier than me. Everyone was so happy. This award is for everyone.”
A thing or two is known about RK Nimai Singh Devi, former Commissioner of Youth Affairs and Sports of Manipur and owner of Eastern Sporting Union Football Club. She played for his team from 2016-2018 and also coached them while playing in 2017.
“She fully deserves the Padma Shri award. He is not only an excellent footballer, and now coach, but also a very good human being who has no air. He is simple, honest and hardworking.” Indian Express,
However, this award is just the beginning. Speaking at a press conference organized by AIFF, Devi spoke about the need for women footballers to earn more money and the current edition of the Indian Women’s League has not allowed that to happen.
“Women players do not get good money while playing for a club in IWL (Indian Women’s League). They (club owners) will always ask the players to take less money like Rs 50,000 or Rs 60,000. This amount is actually peanuts,” said Devi.
As of 2020, IWL’s top performers were being paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Champions Gokulam Kerala won Rs 10 lakh to win the league, while the top goalscorer and best goalkeeper won Rs 1 lakh. This is in comparison to the men’s top-flight Indian Super League (ISL) where the winning teams and runners-up are awarded hundreds of crores in prize money.
Devi said one of the reasons for the paucity of funds is lack of corporate sponsorship. She also said that the lack of corporate interest in the women’s game means there is no scope for further tournaments in a football ecosystem that offers only two events – the IWL and the Senior National Championship.
This meant that state-level players suffered, as unless there were state-sponsored or organized tournaments, there were little avenues for women footballers to make it to the national team.
going up against the big names
Devi’s words come at a time when India is set to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup next year and embark on a friendship and exposure tour. India, ranked 57th in the world, is in Group A along with China, Chinese Taipei and Iran. The women’s team recently beat both Chinese Taipei and Iran and may have a chance to qualify for the knockout stages. Two of the top four teams from each group will advance to the next round, while two of the best third-placed teams will have the opportunity to join them.
“Hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is a huge step. But let us tell you that anything can happen in football. Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup but lost 1–7 to Germany. It is difficult to predict whether we will qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It all depends on hard work and a little luck,” said Devi. “We need to play as a family.”
The Indian women’s team is scheduled to tour Brazil later this month for a tournament where Venezuela and Chile will also compete. Brazil are all set to form a full force team and Devi is excited to see some of her former teammates play against some of her football idols.
“Brazil is the runner-up of the World Cup (2007) and is ranked seventh in the world. Playing against them and against Venezuela and Chile should instill a lot of confidence in the girls. Marta, the captain of Brazil, is my role model and our girls are lucky to have them. Got a chance to play against some of the top players and teams.