Lourembam Ronibala Chanu appointed National senior women team's GK coach

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 4 : Manipur's Lourembam Ronibala Chanu has been appointed as the goalkeeping coach of the National Senior Women's team by the All India Football Federation.
A letter intimating the appointment of Ronibala of Haobam Marak Lourembam Leikai was forwarded to State's controlling body of football- All Manipur Football Association on October 2.
The 45 years old experienced goalkeeping coach was called up to join the National women team's training camp that began yesterday in view of the SAFF Championship to be hosted by Nepal in Kathmandu from October 31.
Ronibala, born to (late) Lourembam Ibotombi Meitei and Lourembam Ongbi Ibetombi Devi, had an illustrious career as a senior player filled with 11 National Football Championship titles and 2 National Games titles from 2000 to 2015.
She also participated in the regional and continental competitions and was part of the National team that won gold medals at the Women's Football Tournament held in Kathmandu in 2000 and the 11th South Asian Games held in 2010. Notably she also captained the National team at the  AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifying Round held in Iran in 2007.
The hardworking goalkeeper had also started her coaching career during her stint as a player and was the goalkeeping coach of the National team for AFC U-16 Girls Championship hosted by Bangladesh in 2014.
She also coached U-14, U-15, U-18, U-19 National and State teams on various occasions and had emerged winner at 8 events including 4 SAFF Championships, 1 Senior Women's National Football Championship (2021) and 1 National Games (hosted by Gujarat in 2022).
Ronibala, who is educationally a graduate, is a AFC B Licence holder since 2015 and had cleared Goalkeeper Level 3 in 2019. Above these technical qualifications, she has also attended numerous refresher courses and other workshops held in India and abroad.