Peter’s No.21 jersey will be retired by his club (Source: FACEBOOK/MIZORAM PREMIER LEAGUE) Peter’s No.21 jersey will be retired by his club (Source: FACEBOOK/MIZORAM PREMIER LEAGUE)

The death of a 23-year-old Mizo footballer from spinal-cord injuries he sustained during a goal-celebrating somersault has found a mention in football-centric online portals. Bloggers also paid tribute to Peter Biaksangzuala and a local news channel ran a special programme in his memory during prime-time on Monday evening.

Biaksangzuala, 23, a native of the eastern town of Khawzawl, played in the midfield position for the Mizoram Premier League club Bethlehem Vengthlang (BVT) FC, an Aizawl-based club. A player who could handle both defensive and midfield roles due to his experience on the semi-professional level, Peter earlier played for another MPL club, Kulikawn FC, and in between also signed with then reigning champions Dinthar FC. He moved briefly to a Shillong team before entering the MPL again, joining BVT this season.

Peter’s side had been down by a goal for the first 62 minutes in last Tuesday’s match against Chanmari West FC, a game that was important for the club currently third in the league table. The defensive midfielder then scored an equalizer, which was coincidentally also his first goal in the MPL.

As he celebrated with a series of somersaults, Peter fell and landed on his neck. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. His team eventually lost the match 3-2. Peter was admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital, where attempts to repair his spinal cord were unsuccessful. He was wheeled into the ICU on Friday night and put on a ventilator. He passed away at 7am on Sunday. Perhaps as a parting gift, he had donated his eyes.

Later that day, Indian Super League clubs North-East United and Goa also paid tribute to Peter by observing a few moments of silence before the match in Guwahati. MPL commentator Lalthanzama Vanchhawng remembers Peter fondly, and talks about a Christian youth event earlier this year at Peter’s hometown where the two chatted at length about his dreams of establishing a professional football career.

“He lived in a rented house in the Aizawl Venglai neighbourhood, and people I know from there have always spoken of him with fondness. He was a religious boy who also took part in a lot of community service,” Vanchhawng said. “Before he was wheeled into the ICU last week, he told his club officials not to worry, that he was going to rest in God’s arms.”

Final entry

Thousands attended a farewell ceremony held in the community hall on Sunday, and there was uncontrolled sobbing when the Pastor read out the last entry in his diary, which quotes from the Corinthians chapter of the Bible.

In a tearful farewell issued on the club’s Facebook page, BVT FC said in a statement, “Peter, look how many have come to see you off. The whole neighbourhood is grieving. On the roadside people are crying your name out, calling to you through tears but you do not answer. You wanted to spend your life on the football field, now you will spend eternity in heaven. Sing for us a victory song from there. Goodnight Peter.”

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