Thousands of people came to the airport from the capital and surrounding villages to greet their heroes. Members of Aizawl Thunders, a bullet club, escorted the team from the airport as thousands of people lined up along the streets to have a glimpse of the players.
At a function held at Assam Rifles ground, chief minister Lal Thanhawla, who is the founding president of Mizoram Football Association (MFA), and sports minister Zodintluanga, were present. Thousands of people wearing red shirts (the colour of the jersey of the Mizoram team) thronged the venue where singers entertained the crowd.
Lalhmachhuana, the president of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), said he was proud to be a Mizo. Lalnunsiami, a shopkeeper, said she felt she should close her shop at least for a day as a mark of respect for the footballers. "We contributed to hire a cab and went to the Lengpui airport to attend the reception function there," she added.
The players were garlanded wherever they went and were also presented 'tawlhlohpuan' a traditional shawl worn only by brave warriors who killed dangerous wild animals of enemies in the past. Though majority of the Mizos are football lovers, the conquest as big as bagging the Santosh Trophy was a dream come true, said a sports writer.
Those who received the footballers included daily labourers, top politicians, sports and priests. The Mizoram government declared Wednesday as a public holiday and all government offices, educational institutions and financial institutions remained close for the day in honour of the Mizoram team.
Official sources said the holiday was declared to enable government employees and students to be able to receive the members of the victorious team.