On the 16th of January, Mizoram hosted its first ever I-League match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Mualpui where home team Aizawl FC were defeated with a 0-1 score by Bengaluru FC. Due to the ongoing costruction of the Aizawl home stadium, just about 7,000 people could be seated. The stadium was packed to its full capacity, and beyond. Fans were also allowed to stand and watch at certain convenient places in and around the stadium.
Though the I-League is believed to be losing its value as well as viewers, that is certainly not the case in Mizoram where there were not enough tickets for all the hopefuls. Though AFC were defeated in their first two games, the football crazed population are still looking forward to the next match in Aizawl and are on a constant watchout for tickets for the next match fearing the tickets will run out before they get theirs. Afterall, for a majority of the Mizos, football is not just a pssion, but a way of life.
In most places around the country, football has to be popularized by Bollywood and sports celebrities and various kinds of promo entertainments. This is not necessary in Mizoram. Though the I-League match in Mizoram was not telecasted live on TV, many ardent football fans still tuned in to the All India Radio where a live commentary was broadcasted. It would be beneficial to the AIFF and the I-League if matches played in Aizawl could be broadcasted live on TV, as a packed stadium could influence the general attitude people have towards football in India.
Aizawl, the city of football
If one looks at Aizawl from a distance, numerous churches there would be very prominent. But upon a closer look, one would see football matches being in almost every corner of streets that are not too busy. Though Aizawl is not very large in terms of its size, it has around 20 football fields which are usually not empty during the daytime except on Sundays. Since Aizawl is a hilly region, it takes a lot of money and man-power to level these fields. The fields, therefore, are evidence of how much the Mizo people love their football.
Different kinds of tournaments ranging from locality-wise, village-wise and district-wise are the highlights of each year for the Mizos. The AR Lammual located in the heart of the city could be claimed to be the Mizo equivalent of the Wembley Stadium. All footballers, amateur or professional, strive to play there. The AR Lammual has seen many days when it is packed with enthused football fans rooting for their teams, especially on days when important matches are played. And of course, on some days, you see roughnecks initiating brawls when things do not happen to their teams as they would like it to. Not that these occassional fights are to be encouraged, but they are manifestations of just how much heart and soul Mizo football fans have put into the game they love.
The Giant Leap in Progress
It is no wonder then that Mizoram is witnessing a giant leap in the progress of football. The tiny which was burdened with political and social turmoil for two decades which ended only in 1986 had a lot of catching up to do. And that it what it has done in the field of football especially in the last few years. In 2010, artificial turf was laid in AR Lammual as a government undertaking for the progress of the football enthused Mizo youth. The Mizoram Football Association made full use of the efforts made by the government and eventually came up with a semi-professional league, Mizoram Premier League just two years later.
With the money put in by Zonet Cable Private Ltd. who bought TV rights and have retained it so far, MPL has gone on to its fourth season without significant hindrances. This league marks the beginning of football professionalism in Mizoram.
Though Mizoram have always had excellent records in the Sub-junior level in the country, it has always failed to prove itself in the junior and senior level. This changed once the MPL took flight. Mizoram soon emerged champions of Dr. T Ao, National Games and Santosh Trophy. By 2015, Mizoram has a club in the I-League. Hurray for Mizoram!!
An Obstacle in the Way
Mizoram is a state which still needs to see a lot of development. Its 20 years unrest has set it back in many ways. The hilly terrain of Mizoram and its impossible roads also pose certain disadvantages especially when it comes to connectivity with the rest of India. It costs a lot more to build stadiums in Mizoram than it would in most part of India. Lack of sufficient funds could, and have hindered the progress of football and other disciplines in Mizoram. This has also slightly raised the price of I-league tickets as compared to other states. But the Mizo people will continue to spend money on the game they love.
Mizoram, the Future of Indian Football
It was not long ago, just 13 years have passed since S. Malsawmtluanga (Mama) graduated from TATA Football Academy and signed a contract with East Bengal in 2002. Now in 2016, Mizoram has come to contribute the biggest number of players in the I-League compared to any other state in India.
If Mizoram conitnues to see such progress, there will come a time when the National football team has a squad with not just a few Mizo names. Till then, Mizoram will look forward to the day when Mizoram becomes the power-house of Indian football as predicted by AIFF officials.
Written by Lalsangliani Ralte