Godfather of Mizoram football is back to where he belongs

Kolkata/Bengaluru, November 22: Welcome back! The football lovers of Mizoram got their 'Godfather' back after a gap of 19 years! Shylo Malsawmtluanga the lanky Mizo midfielder who had stunned Indian football 15 years ago with his speed down the flanks and cracked opposition defense is back home after being recruited by defending I-League champions Aizawl FC.

His popularity has been the same as it was during those 13 years when Shylo was a regular member of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan or Goa's Salgaocar FC.

Now, his profile has got a major facelift. Before his daily training routine, many people assemble at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, mainly to have pictures clicked with him and to get his autograph. Still, Shylo is as down to earth as he has always been.

This season seems to be come-back year for the 33-year old former Indian international.

Shylo, popularly known as Mama was out of favour with I-League clubs last year. Even in the season before that, Mama could not make it to the starting XI of most of the I-League matches despite having donned East Bengal shirts.

The first footballer from Mizoram to have represented the senior national team as well as the country's almsot all big clubs including Indian Super League-outfit Delhi Dynamos for one season, Shylo is happy to see a second wind open up in his career his career, "Yes, my career started fading in recent times. I represented Southern Samity, a second-tier outfit of Kolkata, and took part in the elite I-League qualifiers last season. But all on a sudden Southern shut down its football activities and more than 15 footballers including me, signed by the club became jobless.

"But finally thanks to Aizawl FC bosses who gave me chance again to take part in the I-League. I'm determined to make such a comeback that football loving people will remember my old touch with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
I'm also little bit emotional to have been back at home as I left Imphal in 1998 to join Tata Football Academy."