Kolkata : Football fans in North East is going to have a new club to cheer for as Aizawl FC will be making it’s debut in this years I-league. Aizawl FC became the first club from Mizoram to have qualified for the top tier of I-league after emerging champions in the second division. They also became the fourth team from North East after Lajong FC, Royal Wahingdoh and Rangdajied United FC to participate in India’s premier league.
The club was established in 1984 in Mizoram. In 2012 they were officially given the permission by AIFF to participate in the I-league 2nd division. The Mizoram Premier League champions also participated in the 2012 Federation Cup Qualifiers. Most of the players participated for Mizoram in the National Games in Kerala earlier this year and emerged as champions.
The entire squad of Aizawl FC players have been together for the past few months.They have some quality foreigners in the likes of Alfred Jaryan (Liberia), Morgan Justice (Nigeria) and defender Emmanuel Chigozie (Nigeria).
Aizawl FC have signed former Bahrain Football Association’s (BFA) technical director and coach of the Under-19 side, Manuel Retamero. The Spanish coach has coached third division sides like Iscar, Real Valladolid B and CD La Granja. WithManuel Retamero managing the side , the Aizwal FC fans can expect some fireworks from the side . The team would be looking to follow the footsteps of Royal Wahingdoh , who finished third in I League last season .
Aizawl Fc will be playing their home match at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Mualpai, Mizoram. The picturesque stadium , which was the venue for 2012 National Games has a capacity of 20,000. So far, only the Western Gallery has been constructed . The club management have plans to construct the Eastern Gallery along with lighting facility.