Woman footballer Bala Devi called for Rangers FC trials in Scotland

Bala Devi Ngangom, currently the most experienced Indian women’s footballer, has been called up for a contract subject to trial at Rangers Football Club, founded in 1872. The men’s team, managed by Steven Gerrard, is currently in the Scottish Premier League. The team plays in the Europa League and the women’s football team finished fourth in the Scottish Building Society League 2019 Season (Level 1 in the highest level). Rangers women’s football team is a fully professional women’s team.

Bala will travel to Glasgow on November 19 for a week-long trial at the club including training and matches, and if successful, will sign a professional contract with the team for the 2020 season. In that case, she would be the first Indian woman to be given the opportunity to play professionally outside India. Star Cement, the premier and the most trusted cement brand of Northeast, is sponsoring Bala Devi which will help her pursue her trials and goals.

Thanking Star Cement for the support, she stated, “I am very happy to be given this opportunity and look forward to travelling to Glasgow and doing my best. I hope I can make the club and make my country proud.”

Commenting on this initiative, Shri Sanjay Kr. Gupta, CEO, Star Cement said, "We, at Star Cement, are very proud to be associated with Bala Devi Nganom in our bid to take forward the objectives of women sports in India and help them improve their performances and rise in their sports career.”

"Star Cement has always been at the forefront of promoting various aspects of Northeast life and culture and this support is another humble effort in that direction,” he added. Women In Sports (WINS) is an initiative by a dedicated and passionate team of sports enthusiasts working towards providing technical expertise and creating a platform to increase the standard and improve the performance of Indian female athletes nationally and internationally. 

WINS is proud to be associated with Bala Devi to take the objectives of promoting female athletes forward. Star Cement Ltd. (SCL) is one of the leading cement players in the east India cement market. The company is producing more than 4 million tons of cement a year and has increased its market share in the North-Eastern market despite the challenging economic environment and stiff competition. Company’s flagship brand Star Cement is the largest and most trusted brand in Northeast India. The brand has also established a strong footprint in new markets like Bengal and Bihar in a very short time.