Mizoram Football League: New hope for Mizo football!

The Mizoram Football Association today roped in ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd. as their commercial partner by signing a five year agreement worth at least Rs 12,5 Million (1.25 crore), undisputedly the most lucrative deals in Mizoram sports ever. The deal which will usher a new football league – Mizoram Premier League, was signed between MFA President Lal Thanzara and R.K. Lianzuala, director ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd - one of Mizoram's leading cable television - in Aizawl today.

"We have entered into an agreement with ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd. for five years for the promotion and development of football. We are excited that this will lead to wider reach of football in the Mizoram," MFA President Lal Thanzara said.

The agreement with MFA grants ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd all commercial rights to Mizoram Premier League including sponsorship, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, film, video and franchising.

R.K. Lianzuala, director, ZONET Cable TV Pvt. Ltd said ZONET and the MFA will work together to develop football talent, significantly impact the competitive level of the sport as well as attract high quality players.

The Mizoram Premier League is slated to start in late-September as soon as floodlighting to Aizawl's prestigious Assam Rifles Ground is done.

"We hope Mizoram football will scale greater heights with effective marketing and development at the grassroot level," said Lalnghinglova Hmar, MFA Honorary Secretary, adding that it would be mandatory for teams which qualify for the Mizoram Premier League to have junior and sub-junior teams.

Even though during the last decade Mizoram has produced a few dozens I-League footballers, a domestic league in the state has always been a poor show. This agreement will steer Mizoram football to new heights. The best eight clubs in the state will play in the newly formed football league.

Details of Financial Agreement
* Zonet TV will provide Rs 2,5 Millio (25 Lakhs) to Mizoram FA for each of the five seasons
* The break up of the prize money are as follow:

Champion - Rs. 5,00,000
Runner Up - Rs. 3,00,000
3rd Place - Rs. 2,00,000
4th Place - Rs. 1,50,000
5th Place - Rs. 1,25,000
6th Place - Rs. 1,00,000
7th Place - Rs. 75,000
8th Place - Rs. 50,000

Best Goalkeeper - Rs.5,000
Best Defender - Rs 5,000
Best Midfielder - Rs 5,000
Best Forward - Rs 5,000
Man of the Match - Rs 1,000 (for each of the 56 matches)
Fairplay: Rs 20,000


Match Fee:
For all the 56 matches to be played, there will be match fee as follow
Rs. 3,000 (winner) + Rs. 2,000 (loser)