By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

WEI FANG (CHINA): When it comes to Women’s Football in India, Mizoram might not be as successful as their neighbours Manipur in producing top quality Players who have gone on to make India proud on the International stage, but the North Eastern State is no far behind than their neighbours when it comes to love for the ‘beautiful game’.

For the first time, the Indian U-16 Women’s National Team has three Mizoram Players – Grace Lalrampari, Bawitlung Vanlalhriattri and Offee Lalhmingchhuapuii – a statement that Women’s Football in Mizoram is on a upward surge.

While Grace was the Vice-Captain in India’s opening clash against Philippines, Bawitlung tested the Filipino defence in her short stint in the match, fostering two goal scoring chances.

Elucidating on the growing craze of Football in Mizoram, Grace Lalrampari said, “Football has always been popular in the North Eastern states, it was about time that Mizoram joined the bandwagon of providing the Indian Team with Players”

“Girls here play Football matches on a daily basis in parks and schools. It is as if it is an integral part of their lives”

“Juggling and doing tricks with the ball is very common here and almost all the girls can do it”, Grace adds.

“I started playing Football when I was 5 years old and haven’t looked back since”, informs Bawitlung.

“The only thing which keeps me going is the passion for the sport and to make my country proud at the big stage”

That Footballing craze might just be on its way to cloud nine with Mizoram creating history by winning their first ever Junior National Football Championship yesteryear, breaking the dominance of Teams such as Odisha and Manipur in the process.

“Winning the Championship gave us even more motivation to perform better while gave hope to the young girls that they too can live their dreams of playing Footall”, Offee says in one breath.

Assessing the performance of the Mizo Players in the Indian U-16 National Team, Head Coach Maymol Rocky said, “The trio has a lot of potential but if they don’t work hard on themselves then they cannot evolve into better Players”

“It is all about putting in the hardwork and reaping its benefits”

“Mizoram Football has risen gradually this year and the potential of these three girls is a statement of it”, Maymol stated.