Sweety Devi Ngangbam’s Personal Details
Name: Sweety Devi Ngangbam
Date of Birth: 1 December 1999
Birthplace: Manipur, India
Position: Defender
Ngangbam Sweety Devi has established herself as one of the most influential defenders in Indian women’s football. Known for her leadership, composure, and commanding presence in defence, she captains both East Bengal FC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) and the India women’s national football team. Over the years, Sweety has grown into a central figure in India’s backline, contributing not only with defensive solidity but also with the leadership qualities required to guide a young national squad on the international stage.
Sweety Devi was born and raised in Manipur, a state widely recognised as a powerhouse of Indian football talent. Her early exposure to the game came through her father, Ngangbam Ruhikanta Singh, who worked as a football coach and introduced her to the sport at a young age. To improve her skills and physical strength, her father encouraged her to play alongside boys during her formative years. Competing in such demanding environments helped Sweety develop resilience, confidence, and a strong understanding of the game.
Her talent soon became evident as she progressed through youth football structures in Manipur, eventually earning opportunities to compete at the national level.
Sweety Devi’s domestic career began in the Indian Women’s League, where she represented Eastern Sporting Union in her debut season. The experience helped her transition from grassroots football into the competitive national league environment.
Over the years, she has played for several prominent clubs in Indian women’s football, including: Sethu FC – Indian Women’s League Champions (2018–19), KRYPHSA FC – Indian Women’s League Runner-up (2019–20), Odisha FC Women – Indian Women’s League Champions (2023–24) & East Bengal FC Women – Indian Women’s League Champions (2024–25).
Her leadership and defensive consistency eventually led to her appointment as captain of East Bengal, where she has been instrumental in organising the team’s defence and maintaining stability during crucial matches.
Sweety’s international journey began early when she represented India U-16 in 2014 and later featured in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship qualifiers in 2016. She made her senior debut for India in 2017 during the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification match against South Korea. Her performances quickly established her as a reliable defensive partner to veteran captain Ashalata Devi, forming one of the most dependable centre-back partnerships in the national team.
During the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification campaign in Chiang Mai, Sweety captained India in a match against Mongolia and played a key role in the team’s successful qualification after defeating Thailand in the decisive group match. She also scored her first international goal on 2 October 2021 in a 4-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates, highlighting her ability to contribute offensively during set-piece situations.
As of March 2026, Sweety Devi has earned 68 international caps, making her one of the most experienced players in the current Indian squad.
Achievements & Honours:
SAFF Women’s Championship: 2019
South Asian Games Gold Medal: 2019
Indian Women’s League Runner-up
Rajmata Jijabai Trophy: 2019–20
National Games Gold Medal: 2022
