Shilky Devi Hemam’s Personal Details
Name: Shilky Devi Hemam
Date of Birth: 23 November 2005
Birthplace: Moirang, Manipur, India
Position: Midfielder / Defender
Shilky Devi Hemam is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Indian women’s football. Known for her tactical awareness, composure on the ball, and versatility across midfield and defense, the Manipuri footballer has quickly established herself as a key figure in India’s national setup. Her rapid rise in the sport is remarkable. At just 16 years and two months, Shilky became the youngest player in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a milestone that highlighted her immense potential on the international stage.
Shilky Devi was born in Moirang in the Indian state of Manipur, a region widely known for producing many of India’s top footballers. Growing up in a modest household, her parents worked as cooks, and football initially seemed like an unlikely career path.
While her father Suresh Hemam encouraged her passion for the sport, her mother initially hesitated due to concerns about pursuing football professionally. Over time, her family supported her ambitions, allowing Shilky to pursue training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Academy in Imphal, where she developed her skills and tactical understanding of the game. Her brother also played football locally, which helped nurture her early interest in the sport.
Shilky’s talent was evident from a young age. In 2018, at only 12 years old, she captained India to victory at the SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship in Bhutan, finishing as the tournament’s joint top scorer. Shilky began her professional club career with Gokulam Kerala FC Women, one of the dominant teams in Indian women’s football.
During her time at Gokulam Kerala, she developed into a versatile player capable of operating both as a defender and a defensive midfielder. Her ability to control the tempo of the game and read opposition attacks made her a vital component of the team. Later in her career, she moved to East Bengal FC, continuing her development at one of the country’s historic football clubs.
Shilky made her senior debut for India in 2022 in an international friendly against Brazil women’s national football team, marking the beginning of her senior international journey. Since then, she has represented India in several major competitions, including: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022, FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup 2022 and AFC U‑20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers. Her first senior international goal came during the 2024 Olympic qualifiers, where she scored against Kyrgyzstan women’s national football team, helping India secure a 5-0 victory.
By early 2026, Shilky had already earned over 25 international caps, demonstrating her growing importance in India’s midfield and defensive setup.
Achievements and Honours:
Indian Women’s League Champion: 2022-23
Rajmata Jijabai Trophy: 2023-24
Individual
Indian Women’s League Best Defender: 2023–24
