Imphal: International footballer Ngangom Bala Devi has been awarded the Swarnalata Award for the best sportsperson of the year 2017-18 at a function held at Olympic Bhavan, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, here on Sunday.

The award, constituted by Wairokpam Swarnalata Devi Memorial Trust in 2016, has previously honoured two women sportspersons. The first recipient was cyclist T. Bidyaluxmi Devi and the other was boxer Sh. Sarjubala Devi.

Manipur Olympic Association vice-president G.A. Ibopishak Sharma and general secretary Sunil Elangbam were present at the function on Sunday.

Elangbam, praising Bala Devi, said, the contribution of the state's women footballers in the national scene is immense. "Our pride, Bala Devi, is an integral player not only for Manipur but also for the nation as she had charged from the front," he said. "Bala's contribution is immense and she deserves the award and I wish her many more great achievements in the near future."

After receiving the award, Bala Devi said, "I feel very humbled and honoured with the award and it fills me with new strength. I hope to continue and give my best in the coming days." She also thanked the members of the Wairokpam Swarnalata Devi Memorial Trust for the award.