Panthoi Chanu Elangbam’s Personal Details
Name: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 1 February 1996
Hometown: Keirak village, Kakching district, Manipur, India
Panthoi Chanu Elangbam is one of Indian women’s football’s most resilient and trailblazing goalkeepers; a player whose journey from a small village in Manipur to the international footballing circuit reflects grit, discipline, and quiet excellence. Known for her sharp reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and composure under pressure, Panthoi has steadily built a reputation as one of India’s most dependable last lines of defence.
Her footballing dream began at the grassroots level, where she trained with the Women Football Academy Kakching before progressing to Eastern Sporting Union. Her early years were marked by sacrifice.
Panthoi’s association with Indian football began remarkably early. She first donned the national colours in 2008, representing India at the Under-13 level. Over the years, she rose through every youth tier- Under-14, Under-16, and Under-19, showcasing consistency and maturity beyond her years.
At the domestic level, she represented Eastern Sporting Union, Manipur Police, and Manipur in both the Indian Women’s League and regional competitions. Her standout performances soon established her as a goalkeeper to watch, culminating in her being named Indian Women’s League Best Goalkeeper (2017-18).
In December 2022, Panthoi took a major step forward when she travelled to Spain alongside fellow Indian footballer Bala Devi for a training-cum-trial stint with Málaga CF’s women’s setup. The experience exposed her to European footballing standards and further refined her tactical awareness and shot-stopping abilities.
Her biggest career milestone came in 2024, when she signed for Metro United WFC, competing in the South Australian National Premier Leagues Women. This move made her the first Indian woman footballer to play professional football in Australia, a landmark achievement for Indian women’s football. Spotted at the Women in Sports Elite Football Trials in October 2023, Panthoi also trained with Adelaide United FC, gaining valuable experience in a highly competitive environment.
In 2025, Panthoi was part of India’s campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Her contributions between the posts played a crucial role in India’s performances, and upon returning home, she was felicitated by her village.
She currently represents East Bengal FC, with whom she lifted the Indian Women’s League title in the 2024-25 season, further cementing her status as an elite domestic goalkeeper.
Honours & Recognition:
SAFF Women’s Championship: 2014, 2016
South Asian Games Gold Medal: 2016, 2019
Indian Women’s League Champion (East Bengal): 2024–25
Indian Women’s League Champion (Eastern Sporting Union): 2016–17
Rajmata Jijabai Trophy (Manipur): 2019–20
Individual Awards
Indian Women’s League Best Goalkeeper: 2017–18
AIFF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: 2024
