From Naga Hills to the heart of Indian Football; Legends of Dr. Talimeren Ao to be immortalised

by Chittu Shetty September 19, 2024

All India Football Federation has decided to dedicate its Junior Girls’ National Football Championship in the name of independent India’s’ first captain Dr. Talimeren Ao (28 January 1918 – 13 September 1998).

This will be a first national recognition to the Nagaland legend by the Federation, in honour of his achievements and contribution to Indian football.

Starting season 2025-26, the annual tourney in its 18^th edition, will henceforth be known as ‘Dr. Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls’. Manipur so far holds an unstained domination in the competition, with 11 trophies and 2 runners-up finishes.

The Federation also plans to commission a biography on the Nagaland legend to capture his inspiring journey of determination, courage and resilience which saw him travel from his birthplace Changki village to Jorhat and to Guwahati, before finally making a name for himself at the Mecca of Indian Football, Kolkata. Legends has it that Dr. Ao also had offers from many English clubs including the famed Arsenal FC.

While there are many folktales of Dr. Ao in the Naga Hills and in the North East region, Federation’s proposal to award him a national recognition was recently tabled by President Sh. Kalyan Chaubey to its Executive Committee. Sh. Chaubey stressed upon the need to ‘recognise and restate’ the real-life stories of Indian football to inspire our youths.

Says Sh. Chaubey, “Dr. Talimeren Ao is an inspiring figure, and his journey must be brought to life in today’s context, else I’m afraid we probably be the last generation to know of the legends. The naming of our Junior Girls National Championship and a biography book, in my view, will be a humble ode by the federation to our national hero – who went on to captain the first independent Indian football team and the 1948 Summer Olympics.”

The governing body has recently dedicated its premier competition, i.e. the Senior Women’s National championship trophy in memory of Rajmata Jijabai – mother of the brave king Chhatrapati Shivaji, and the newly introduced Under 20 Boys National championship trophy dedicated to the life teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

Credit – AIFF Media