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The Hindu India striker and WIFA XI captain Steven Dias (blue) with Mizoram captain Zico Zorensanga (red) at kick-off during the exhibition match between the two sides hosted by WIFA at the Cooperage stadium. -
The Hindu Mizoram team receiving the cheque from Freight Express International Cargo founder Pratap Nair (2nd from left) at a felicitation function hosted by the latter in honour of the north-east state for winning the 2014 Santosh Trophy. Special guest John Abraham joins in the applause. -
The Hindu Mizoram team official Vanlalmawia (right).
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.