I-League champions Aizawl FC players are treated like Gods a day after scripting one of the greatest underdog stories in Indian football's history
Aizawl FC supporters celebrate their team’s historic I-League title win at the Assam Rifles’ Lammual Stadium in Aizawl city yesterday
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With a budget of just around Rs 2 crore, which is the same amount Mohun Bagan bought their Haitian ace Sony Norde, two-season-old Aizawl FC were able to script one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of Indian football by clinching their maiden I-League title on Sunday.
The celebrations are in full swing in the Northeastern state. To assist Mizo fans celebrate with their heroes, chief minister Pu Lalthanhawla declared a half-day in the state yesterday. But that certainly didn't turn out to be the case as the streets of Aizawl were flooded with fans waiting in anticipation for their team to arrive with the trophy. "Most people didn't go to work," Aizawl team sources told mid-day.
After their fairytale finish at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Shillong on Sunday, Khalid Jamil and his boys boarded the flight back home the next morning.
Ecstatic Aizawl FC players celebrate with fans yesterday
Fans-tastic moment
"When we arrived Lengpui airport in Aizawl, we were unable to come out because of the people gathered there. From the airport, we somehow boarded the team bus and went to Hunthar (a junction in Aizawl city). Then we took a truck with the I-League trophy and went through the city and finally reached at the Assam Rifles' Lammual Stadium. Normally, it's a 20-minute drive from the airport to the stadium, but this trip took almost an entire day," the source added. Once the team arrived at Lammual stadium, where most of the Mizo players in the team honed their skills, the bugles began and the thumping bass of their team song Lajong te la I jong (Lajong it is ours) started to playing. "There was a huge state function at the stadium. The players and coach interacted with the crowd. Many officials from the Mizoram Football Association (MFA), including Honorary Secretary, Lalnghinglova 'Tetea' Hmar were present," the source said.
'Still a long way to go'
The joy, the happiness, the success that comes with football can be intoxicating, but team owner Robert Royte felt there's still a long way to go.
"For the time being I would say my boys have gone from zero to hero. Obviously, it has been a fantastic ride. You can understand how difficult it is to express this in words. That is not important. What is important is that my boys have done it. Yes, football, as it does elsewhere, has distracted the society here from drugs, alcohol and other vices. It's an outlet," Royte said.
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