Young Mizoram footballer Peter Biaksangzuala has died after injuring his spinal cord while celebrating a goal he had scored, media reports said Monday.
Peter, 23, fell backwards on his head as he took a series of somersaults after scoring an equaliser for his Aizwal-based team Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, against Chanmari West FC, in a Mizoram Premier League match.
He celebrated with a series of somersaults, landing on his head and remained on the ground in pain. He was carried off the field and admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital. All attempts to repair his spinal cord failed and he passed away on Sunday.
“We are shocked by the case. We at the Mizoram Football Association did all we could but could not save him,” said MFA secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar.
Bethlehem has decided to retire the number 21 jersey as a tribute to Biaksangzuala while Hmar said MFA would organise a match in his memory.