Do it for Aizawl: Shylo Malsawmtluanga's message to Khalid Jamil's men

I can still vividly recall what happened on October 28, 1998. My mother had been crying constantly for the last few days and that morning was no different. My sisters were consoling her. I was trying to carve out some space inside my bag for the boots. I was the youngest among five children in a family that lived and dreamed sports.

My brother had chosen Hockey (and went on to represent Mizoram Police) as his favourite but I was a football guy. Later that day, I’d bid goodbye to Aizawl. To leave was heart-breaking. The journey was tiring. First a bus ride to Guwahati. Then reaching Howrah in an overcrowded train compartment. And a local train to Jamshedpur to end it.

On October 30, two 14-year-old Mizo footballers would start practicing at the famous Tata Football Academy (TFA). That was the first time, someone from that state made it to mainstream Indian football. Exactly 18 years and 6 months after that day, Aizawl FC can become the champions of India. How about that for a fairytale?

When I look at the domestic football circuit now, I see so many of my juniors being celebrated in the industry. The picture was completely different in the first years of my career. Remember, this was before Google Maps. We weren’t even sure where Jamshedpur was. So, a coach from the Sports and Youth Services Department accompanied us to TFA.

Putting Mizoram on the national football map has been very difficult and I am proud I have played a small role in it. Many don’t know that I was not alone when I came to TFA.

Lalhmingsanga was my partner, even though he was released after three months from the academy. When we were scouted in New Delhi while playing against SAIL Bokaro in the Subroto Cup, we didn’t have any idea that one match will change the course of our careers, and dare I say, make football an obsession for a whole state.

Aizawl FC is a club very close to my heart. I have been in constant touch with the management through the season. The manager of the club is an old friend and we used to play together in our teens. Among the players, Zotea is the one I speak to most often. “I can’t even remember seeing the ball going into the net. I was just determined to get my head to the ball and that’s all what I can recall,” he told me after scoring that goal against Mohun Bagan. “You have become a celebrity, you will soon forget us,” I told him.

We have dreamt about this day for decades. Please give your all for the 90 minutes and win the I-League. No one will be happier than your well-wisher, Shylo Malsawmtluanga.

The writer is a pioneer for Mizoram football and has played in the NFL, the I-League and the ISL.