Dangmei Grace Bids Farewell to International Football After SAFF Championship Triumph

Dangmei Grace, a key player in Indian women's football, has announced her retirement following a triumphant win at the SAFF Championship. With a career spanning 13 years, she has made significant contributions to the sport, including three SAFF titles and a professional stint in Uzbekistan. Grace reflects on her journey, expressing gratitude for the lessons learned through football and optimism for the future of the sport in India. As she steps away from the pitch, she plans to pursue studies related to football, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 15:29 IST

A New Chapter for Dangmei Grace

Footballer Dangmei Grace

GUWAHATI, June 18: Making the decision to retire is often one of the hardest choices for a professional athlete. Dangmei Grace, a prominent figure in Indian women's football, announced her retirement from international play this month after clinching the SAFF Championship title. She revealed that she had been preparing for this moment over the past year.

Grace shared, "It wasn't an easy choice. Football has become an integral part of my life, making it challenging to envision a future without it. However, the time comes when one must step away. I spent about a year getting ready for this decision, consulting with senior players to gain insights from their experiences. In the last six months, I became more focused on finalizing my choice."

On June 6, the Blue Tigresses secured a 3-1 victory against Bangladesh, winning the SAFF Championship title after a seven-year gap. Grace made her retirement announcement on the same day.

Having represented India for 13 years since 2013, she participated in 95 matches and netted 24 goals, establishing herself as one of the top female players in the country, alongside legends like Bembem Devi, Bala Devi, and Ashalata Devi. Only Ashalata has more caps, with 100 appearances.

Throughout her career, Grace experienced the evolution of women's football, from being overlooked to the team qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2026 in Australia.

She has three SAFF titles to her name, won in 2016, 2019, and 2026, along with two medals from the South Asian Games in 2016 and 2019. Notably, she scored during India's tour to Brazil in 2021 against Venezuela.

In 2022, Grace achieved her dream of playing internationally by signing with FC Nasaf Karshi in Uzbekistan, becoming one of the few Indian women footballers to secure a professional contract abroad. She played a crucial role in helping her team win both the league and cup titles in the Uzbekistan Women's Super League.

Grace also led Gokulam Kerala FC to a third consecutive Indian Women's League title in 2023, marking a treble-winning season. Her club achievements include a bronze medal at the AFC Women's Club Championship.

Among her many successes, Grace highlighted the 2019 SAFF Women's Championship, where India triumphed over Nepal 3-1 under coach Maymol Rocky, as her most cherished memory. "That victory was particularly special. Winning in Nepal, on their home ground, was an emotional experience. We worked tirelessly under Maymol ma'am's guidance, making it truly memorable," she reflected.

Hailing from Churachandpur in Manipur, the humble forward expressed gratitude for the perspective football has given her. "I feel fulfilled and grateful for my football journey. It has provided me with an identity, respect, and has positively influenced my personal life. Football has matured me as a person," she stated.

Regarding the new generation of players, Grace is optimistic. "The future of Indian women's football looks promising. The young girls are confident and fearless, displaying a hunger for success, which is encouraging," she noted.

As for her future endeavors, Grace mentioned that she currently has no immediate plans but is eager to pursue studies related to football. "I want to explore educational opportunities in football and see where that leads me," the 30-year-old concluded.