Spine Of The Blue Tigresses: Sweety Devi, Captain Of Indian Women's Football Team

Women’s football in India has always been known for players who possess grit, discipline, and determination. Sweety Devi Ngangbam is one of the players who has become synonymous with defensive grit and leadership for the Indian women’s football team. The 26-year-old from Manipur has been named Captain of the Blue Tigresses for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026.

Roots in Manipur’s Football Culture

Born on December 1, 1999, in Langthabal, Imphal West, Sweety has managed to carve out a name for herself as one of the most reliable players for the Indian women’s football team. 

She learned the basics of football from her father, Ngangbam Ruhikanta Singh, a football coach who encouraged her to train with boys, which helped sharpen her skills. In her debut season in the Indian Women's League, she played for Eastern Sporting Union.

Sweety made her junior international debut for the India U-16 team in 2014 and later played in the AFC U-19 qualifiers in 2016. She earned her senior debut for the India women's national football team in 2017 against South Korea during qualification for the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup, and later formed a regular defensive partnership with captain Ashalata Devi.

In November 2019, she played in the first round of qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Myanmar. She scored her first senior international goal against the United Arab Emirates women's national football team on 2 October 2021 in a 4–1 win.

She represented India at the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. In 2025, she was part of India’s squad for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification in Chiang Mai, where India defeated Thailand in the final Group B match.

She also captained the side against Mongolia women's national football team. Earlier, she had missed the 2022 Asian Cup qualifiers due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp.

Sweety's game can be defined as precise, robust, and anticipating her opponents' next moves before they occur. This quality enables her to function as a defender and protect the goal that provides a framework for her and her teammates to work around.

What makes Sweety different from other players is her composure and leadership quality on the field. She has demonstrated leadership qualities during every match, regardless of her role.

Showcasing the Northeast on the National Stage

Sweety’s achievement has been beyond her own prowess, emphasising how much the northeastern states have to offer to Indian football. The Manipuri and other northeastern players in the Indian women’s national team have brought raw passion and talent to Indian football, enriching it immensely. 

Her journey from her humble abode in Imphal West to putting the Indian flag on the world stage has become a source of inspiration for other players in the region and beyond.