Who is Ashalata?1st Indian Women Footballer in 100 Intl Matches
First Published: 17th October, 2024 20:05 IST
"Pressure is natural before major matches, but it's also a sign that we care deeply. We need to channel it to perform better."
Loitongbam Ashalata Devi from the North Eastern state of Manipur, the dependable centre-back who has anchored the Indian women’s football team’s defence for over a decade, became first Indian woman footballer to reach 100 international matches.
On Thursday, October 17, Ashalata created history when she stepped onto the field for India against Pakistan in the SAFF Women’s Championship at Kathmandu’s Dasharath Stadium.
Reflecting on her journey, Ashalata shared her excitement and said, “It’s difficult to express how happy I am to reach this milestone. This tournament is crucial for us, and I hope we can bring home the trophy.”
Ashalata made her debut in 2011 during the Olympic qualifiers, never imagining she would reach this remarkable feat. “I didn’t set a goal of reaching 100 caps. I just wanted to keep playing and representing the country. Now, I feel proud of the hard work and consistency that brought me here,” she said.
Despite the milestone, Ashalata feels the pressure of big tournaments but embraces it as motivation. “Pressure is natural before major matches, but it’s also a sign that we care deeply. We need to channel it to perform better.”
Who Is Ashalata?
Born in Imphal, Manipur, on July 3, 1993, Ashalata was 13 years old when she took up the sport. Ashalata recalls the disappointment of withdrawing from the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup due to COVID-19 as her lowest point. However, the 2019 SAFF Championship victory in Nepal stands out as her proudest moment, where unity and team spirit led India to glory.
One of her most memorable experiences was playing a friendly against Brazil in 2021. “Facing legends like Marta and Formiga was surreal,” she said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Having witnessed the transformation of women’s football in India since her early days, Ashalata is optimistic about the future. “When I started, there weren’t many opportunities. Now, we have the Indian Women’s League (IWL), Khelo India Leagues, and other competitions. It’s important to keep improving and playing more matches.”
As she approaches this significant milestone, Ashalata dedicates the moment to her mother, who has never seen her play live, and to her teammates, coaches, and physiotherapists who supported her through challenges.
She played for Rising Student Club (Cuttack), KRYPHSA (Imphal), Sethu (Madurai) and Gokulam Kerala in the Indian Women’s League. She is currently with East Bengal.
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