The MFA has ushered in the new football league by signing a five-year deal worth at least Rs 1.25 crore with ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd. Even though Mizoram has produced many I-League footballers in the last decade, a domestic league in the state has always been a poor show. Officials said the agreement will steer Mizoram football to new heights.
The agreement was signed between MFA president Lal Thanzara and ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd. director RK Lianzuala. The deal grants ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd all commercial rights to the Mizoram Premier League, including sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, film, and video and franchising.
For the 2012-13 season, MPL will have eight clubs-Aizawl, Chanmari, Dinthar, FC Kulikawn, Luangmual, Mizoram, Reitlang and RS Annexe. The winner of the league will be awarded Rs 5 lakh. The matches will be held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui and Lammual.
Meanwhile, football teams of Mizoram are gearing up for the occasion. Dinthar FC from Aizawl, the champions of Mizoram Football Association (MFA)'s highest league, have already named their new chief coach and manager for the newly launched MPL 2012-13 season, said H Lal Rammawia, general secretary of Dinthar FC, Mizoram.
He said the club meeting decided to appoint T Vanlalhluna as their new chief coach and Lalnuntluanga as team manager for MPL 2012-13. Vanlalhluna led the state team to win Dr T Ao Memorial Trophy for NE states 2011-12 and the North East Games 2012.