1. Efforts of the State Government to Promote Football

One slight advantage that Mizoram had when it came to football over other states is that it was the number one sport in the state. But that did not mean it was easy to build a footballing structure in the state that would flourish at the highest level. The hilly terrain of the state made it difficult to create and maintain pitches. Grass fields were a rarity, and the mud pitches that were available for children to play on there weren't exactly fit to foster high level talent.

The first concrete steps that the state government took was to introduce artificial turfs in selected towns across the state. These turfs, usually open to the local children to play, became hubs of the sport as eager players from miles around traveled daily to play there. This made the efforts to spot talent and recruit them for local teams and academies relatively easy.

The next step was to start small level local tournaments where locality-based teams could participate. These teams, made with players from a handful of villages in particular districts. These teams and competitions were not cash-rich and the teams often depended on donations from local population and businesses, but they saw strong participation from fans and players alike, and became battle for pride and bragging rights.

Long strides were made in terms of improving the academies and developing players as well. Trials for various local academies were held statewide, which in turn sent their best players to tryouts for the best academies in the country. As a result, since the early 2000s, the number of Mizo cadets shot up in some of the biggest India footballing institutions. 

The government took things further: recently they sent 35 promising junior players to train in Germany. And there are plans to invite some of the major European clubs to come to Mizoram and hold tryouts for their academies. 

In a footballing structure where clubs did not have much money to spend, the investment and active encouragement from the state government to promote and develop the sport was pivotal. And in the last 5 years, results became visible across the specturm. Mizoram won the Santosh Trophy in 2014, schools from Mizoram dominated the Subroto Cup and in 2015 Aizawl FC progressed to the I-League.

It was grassroots done right; perhaps the best implementation of the principles of football development in India. With the number of tournaments getting higher than ever and football becoming an integral part of life at these communities, it was time for the next step and make football a statewide spectacle.