Photo essay: Mizoram and its unparalleled passion for football

A picturesque view from the top of the iconic Lammual stadium in Aizawl. Also known as the Assam Rifles Ground, it is one of the two very popular stadiums in the city for football training.

The Under-10 footballers lined up at the end of their session at the Lammual stadium in Aizawl. They rush right from school to come and attend their football classes, no matter how exhausted or tired they are. One of the parents at the stadium told us, “If for some reason classes are cancelled, my son is very upset. He will find a way to go into the colony to play football then.”

Students of government-run Chaltlang Higher Secondary School train for football during their lunch break on a local ground close to their school. Most schools—private or public—in Aizwal don’t have football grounds.

Students of Chaltlang Higher Secondary School play football in the streets on their way home in Aizawl. Though there is a massive dearth of infrastructure for the sport in the city, it doesn’t affect the Mizo’s spirit to play the sport.

A view of the city captured while travelling to Kolasib, the smallest district in Mizoram, about 90 km away from Aizawl.

R Lalruatfela, founder and coach of the privately-run Four4Two academy [centre], along with students of his academy, at their home in Kolasib. The entire family, including their grandparents, support Manchester United, and they never miss watching a match together.

A line of football shoes left for drying on the porch of a house in Kolasib. It is never not a football season for the Mizos.

Rickshaw driver Lalchawiliana with his daughter Vanlalnghaki (13) and son Lalthazuala (12) in their one-bedroom quarter in Kolasib district. He ensures that Lalthazuala attends football lessons thrice a week and wishes he could afford classes for his daughter as well.

Vanlalnghaki, along with her brother Lalthazuala and friends, playing football barefoot on the volleyball court close by. Their father—a Real Madrid fan—introduced football to his children when they were toddlers.

Regional Sports Training Centre in Saidan, Kolasib—a picturesque football ground with an artificial grass turf, overlooking the city on one side and mountains on the other.

Young athletes and hostellers relax after a practice session at the Regional Sports Training Centre in Saidan, Kolasib, run by the state government. After a rigorous selection process, the best of the best from Mizoram get selected to train at this centre.

Hostellers resting in their dorm room and finishing up their homework. The programme at the Regional Sports Training Centre gives equal importance to education since not all players can make it as professional footballers. Some players at the academy have given two to four trials for the Under-13 and Under-17 teams of Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC and Madras FC.

Most parents come to support their children during practice sessions. “If my son or daughter wants to become a professional footballer, they have my complete support,” says one of them.

Women selling fresh fruits and herbs at Lungdai Bazaar in Mizoram.

The enthusiasm of the Mizos was visible at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium during a Chanmari FC Vs Venghnuai FC match for the Mizoram Premier League (MPL) on a foggy and rainy Thursday evening. Though it wasn’t a packed stadium, the loud chants and drums created an electrifying atmosphere. And it wasn’t just the youth, families, children, parents and grandparents who also thronged the stadium.

Both the teams, Chanmari FC and Venghnuai FC, gearing up to start the MPL match at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium—the largest ground in Aizawl. MPL was launched in 2012 to force footballers to play constantly—making them much better professional footballers. Even though crowds are dwindling, the management is finding innovative ways to bring people to the stadium.

A player from Venghnuai FC caught in action during the game. A lot of MPL clubs are backed by specific communities and cities in Mizoram. Teams go door-to-door in that community for crowdfunding, which adds a sense of ownership among people. For most Mizos, football is a community recreational activity. A professional or not, they play first for the love of football and then to win.