World Cup football colours our planet in different hues. Mizoram is one corner in north-east India reflecting the frenzy in far away Brazil, transmitted via flickering television images into homes. “We are crazy about football. Each and every house watches matches,” pointed out Vanlalmawia, manager of the Santosh Trophy 2014 winning Mizoram squad, on a visit to Mumbai. “Football standards go up locally after every World Cup. Everyone is watching in homes, including players who get influenced by what they get to see night after night.”
Spain is at the top of their mind, Germany and England are emotional favourites with the Mizos. The reasons are specific. “Let Spain play the way they do, we will sit back and admire. It is a footballers’ hub, they have a number of quality players compared to other nations,” he said, touching upon the similarity in body structure between Mizos challenging the big guns in Indian football and the La Roja . “Physically we are small, so the aerial game does not suit us. Our boys are skilful but stand no chance against the high balls. We focus on keeping the ball close to the ground as much as possible and like the way Barcelona plays.”
The affinity for football superpowers among Mizos hooked to World Cup action extends to Germany and England as well. Religion comes into play here. “We had missionaries coming over from there to work with locals. We are Christians, hence the emotional attachment,” reasoned Vanlalmawia, in Mumbai along with the entire Mizoram squad for a series of events arranged by Freight Express International Cargo to felicitate the Santosh Trophy winner. He was bemused about the reasons for England’s below-par World Cup showing so far. “Each time there is hype around England when they qualify. In reality, they haven’t won the title for a long time. The English Premier League supplies quality players; don’t know why they stumble.”
Germany is respected universally for being able to handle a nation’s expectations, so do Bundesliga clubs for handling pressure in international competitions. Mizoram got a taste of German power and efficiency when Hoffenheim 1899 came calling. “We lost to them 3—0. They are big players, our boys barely came up to their shoulder,” the Mizo official laughed, remembering the hammering in the match at Aizwal against the squad which clinched the Santosh Trophy.
Hoffenheim were on a promotional tour in the Asian sub-continent, aimed at getting more followers for the Bundesliga. The German club made a stopover in Aizwal after being told about the craze for football among the locals. The Mizoram Premier League (MPL), launched two years ago, is played in front of packed stadiums. FIFA established a Grassroots Development programme in the north-eastern State and Mizoram Football Association’s execution of the project resulted in the AIFF naming Mizoram as the ‘best grass-root development programme’ last year.
The following for the sport is assured now that a structure is in place for State administrators to harness the talent. The Santosh Trophy victory this season is Mizoram’s first breakthrough at the senior level. The perks for emerging as India’s number one football State side are many. Mizoram is the first inter-State champion to experience a red-carpet rolled out for Santosh Trophy champion squad by FEI founder Pratap Nair. The package included two-way flight for the full squad, five-star stay during the Mumbai trip and Rs. 5 lakh cheque handed over at a special function. Cine star and football enthusiast John Abraham joined in the applause for Mizos at the event attended by Mumbai’s corporate heads and football administrators.
The footballing high for the north-east side, captained by Zico Zorensanga, came during and after an exhibition match under floodlights at the Cooperage artificial turf and hosted by WIFA. Beto, a well-known Brazilian pro in the I-League, turned out for WIFA XI. The Mizo players later got to meet with Mohun Bagan and Mahindra United star Jose Barreto, the most famous Brazilian in Indian football. The visitors took pictures with Barreto at a celebratory dinner. Beto tormented the defence on the turf, and Barreto bowled over young Mizos with his humility.
WIFA XI, led by India playmaker Steven Dias, won 2-0. Mizoram stuck to their ground-passing game, attempting in vain to break down WIFA defence, marshaled by goalkeeper Harshad Meher. “We felt nice and happy,” reacted Vanlalmawia, about the Mumbai experience. The players were delighted. “The Santosh Trophy win proves that we have arrived in Indian football. Now more Mizos will be seen in the I-League and the Indian Super League,” he said, pointing out the importance of MPL in the state’s success in the senior ranks. “The players for Santosh Trophy were chosen after assessing form and fitness in the MPL.”
He is positive about the home-grown tournament attracting more sponsors, fans and even foreign players in future. “Cricket is popular in India, football is the choice of people in Mizoram,” quipped the manager. Mumbai is a cricket-crazy city and hosted the cricket World Cup, but applause for visitors after the exhibition tie at Cooperage, followed by applause from corporate heads and the celebrity guest at FEI felicitation a day later proves that Mizos with a special feel for the game command respect.
