A day after 23-year-old Mizoram footballer Peter Biaksangzuala died in an accident while celebrating a goal, the football-crazy state is still in mourning.

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Biaksangzuala, who played for Bethlehem Vengthlang FC in the Mizoram Premier League (MPL) died from severe spinal cord damage after attempting to celebrate a goal with a somersault.

After scoring his side's equaliser against Chanmari West FC in the 62nd minute of a third-tier match of the MPL, a flipping Biaksangzuala landed awkwardly and was seen lying unconscious as his teammates surrounded him and gestured for help.

MFA secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar told dna that it was an unfortunate incidents. "We have still to come to terms with it. I mean, it was just a goal celebration. It couldn't have gone any worse."

He said the state did everything possible to help him. "The association president is the state health minister. Even though he was out of station, he told the hospital to take extra care. We were considering air-lifting him to Delhi, but we couldn't do that because of his poor health," said Hmar.

The IFA haven't formulated any rules to avoid such incidents in the future. "He died yesterday (Sunday). We are still in mourning. The committee will meet in a few days to decide what steps need to be taken," said Hmar.

Mizoram created history in May this year by winning the Santosh trophy on their maiden appearance in the tournament, beating Railways 3-0. Over the last decade, the state has seen tremendous growth in a footballing culture with many of its players plying their trade in the I-League.

"Football is the biggest entertainment in the state, so when a footballer dies, especially in such a shocking way, it's like the whole state is in mourning. His locality is definitely in mourning," Hmar said.

Bethlehem has decided to retire the number 21 jersey as a tribute to Biaksangzuala, while Hmar said that the MFA would organise a match in his memory.