Kolkata: Shylo Malsawmtluanga, commonly known as Mama, has been called the Mizo icon as he became the first player from Mizoram to play for India. The man who inspired generations of Mizo footballers like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Dhanmawia and Lalam Puia to adopt football as their passion and profession over the years, never played for any Mizoram club before he joined defending I-League champions Aizawl FC this season. He will also become the first Indian footballer, when he will be playing the Mizoram Premier League at Lammual, where an entire stand has been named after him a few months back. In an interaction with www.xtratime.in football correspondent Suman Chakravorty, Tulunga spoke about a lot of things, which will make every Indian football fan excited about the 32-years old footballer. Here goes the interaction:
XT: Mama, you have been a Mizo icon over the years. But this would be the first time when you will be playing for a Mizoram club. Are you excited?
Mama: Well, it will be special. This is my home town, Unfortunately, I never played for any Mizoram club before. So, playing for the I-League champions Aizawl FC would be fun. It’s a different feeling.
XT: You have been the most popular footballer in Mizoram over the years. Every time when you came to play at Aizawl for East Bengal in 2016, the fans greeted you with an unbelievable cheer. This time you will be playing for the home team. Can you imagine the cheer waiting for you?
Mama: The love I have got from them is something amazing. I got a lot of love from the East Bengal fans as well. I don’t have any word to describe that.
XT: You have achieved so much in your playing career, but this would be the first time you would be playing in the Asian Champions League. How are you feeling?
Mama: Yes, I played AFC Cup for a few seasons with East Bengal. But playing Asian Champ[ions League would be something new to me. I’m excited. We have a talented bunch. I’m sure, they will do well in the big stage. I will share my experience as well.
XT: You would be the first Indian footballer to perform in front of the stand in the which is named after you in the MPL. How special will it be?
Mama: I don’t have words. These things motivate you play even better. These honours increases your responsibility. I’m so lucky to get so much love.
XT: The I-League winning coach Khalid Jamil has moved to East Bengal this season. How difficult will it be for the new coach to shape things up?
Mama: It becomes difficult at times for a new coach to come and maintain the momentum of a champion team. But our new coach has good experience in coaching Spanish clubs. So he has experience of coaching superior teams in the past. I don’t think he will have much trouble.