Talimeran Ao
Encyclopedia
Talimeran Ao Dr Talimeran Ao, the legendary sports persona was the first captain of Independent India's Olympic Football team (London Olympics, 1948) and the first athlete from undivided Assam
to play at the Olympics.. He was born in the Naga village of Chanki, Assam
(now in Nagaland) in 1919. Son of Rev. Subongwati Ao, Dr Talimeran, started playing football from his school days. He completed his schooling from Impur Christian School and he was the captain of his school's football team. He was awarded the "Best Footballer" title in the All Assam
Inter School Football Championship,1937. He was appointed as the captain of his college football team in Cotton College, Guwahati
, Assam
.
Dr Talimeran Ao joined Mohun Bagan AC and stayed as a captain of the same from 1943-1952.
Dr Talimeran Ao performed superbly in the Durand Cup final,1950 played between Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad Police. In 1951, he played against some foreign teams namely, Philippines, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma and Japan. After his retirement from the Mohun Bagan AC, Talimeran Ao studied medicines at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
, Kolkata. Completing his MBBS, he went back to Nagaland. There he became the director of Nagaland Health Service in 1978. He is remembered for promoting sports in North-Eastern states of India. Mohun Bagan AC honored him with the Mohun Bagan Ratna Award in 2002 for his achievements. In 1998, he died at the age of 80.
village of Chanki (Mokokchung district
). Son of Rev. Subongwati Ao, he started playing football from his school days. He completed his schooling from Impur Christian School and he was the captain of his school's football team.
. A barefooted player, he led the Indian football team
at the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London
as captain of the first national team after independence. One of the stalwarts of Indian football, five decades ago, Ao represented Mohun Bagan
from 1943–1952 and was captain of the club for two years.
Well known for his sportsmanship, it was evident in the 1950 Durand Cup
final between Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad Police. In a classic Durand final, Bagan led their opponents 2-0 when midway through the second half, their goalkeeper K. Datta was injured and carried off. In those days substitutions were not allowed. Ao who was playing as one of the half backs at once changed his jersey and played in Dutta's place. He performed heroically even though Hyderabad City Police drew 2-2 and went on to win the replay 1-0.
After his retirement from football Ao studied medicine at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
. A skilled doctor, he rose to become director of Nagaland
Health Service. Ao retired from this position in 1978 and devoted his time to promotion of sports in North-East India. He received the Mohun Bagan Ratna award, given by the club to its most celebrated former players.
In 1998, Ao died on in the Kohima
district of Nagaland at the age of 80. Paying tributes to Ao, another stalwart of a bygone era, Sailen Manna
said, "Ao was a hardworking player with a superb sense of timing in his tackles and a great team-man." The main stadium in Guwahati is named after him.
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
to play at the Olympics.. He was born in the Naga village of Chanki, Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
(now in Nagaland) in 1919. Son of Rev. Subongwati Ao, Dr Talimeran, started playing football from his school days. He completed his schooling from Impur Christian School and he was the captain of his school's football team. He was awarded the "Best Footballer" title in the All Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
Inter School Football Championship,1937. He was appointed as the captain of his college football team in Cotton College, Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
, Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
.
Dr Talimeran Ao joined Mohun Bagan AC and stayed as a captain of the same from 1943-1952.
Dr Talimeran Ao performed superbly in the Durand Cup final,1950 played between Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad Police. In 1951, he played against some foreign teams namely, Philippines, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma and Japan. After his retirement from the Mohun Bagan AC, Talimeran Ao studied medicines at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital [আর.জি.কর মেডিক্যাল কলেজ & হাসপাতাল] is one of the oldest medical college and tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal in India named after the famous physician Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar [ ডা. রাধাগোবিন্দ কর ], the founder of the institution.- History, :In...
, Kolkata. Completing his MBBS, he went back to Nagaland. There he became the director of Nagaland Health Service in 1978. He is remembered for promoting sports in North-Eastern states of India. Mohun Bagan AC honored him with the Mohun Bagan Ratna Award in 2002 for his achievements. In 1998, he died at the age of 80.
Early life
Born in 1919 in the NagaNaga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
village of Chanki (Mokokchung district
Mokokchung District
Mokokchung is a district of Nagaland state in India. The town of Mokokchung is its headquarters. It is the home of the Ao Naga tribe. It covers an area of 1,615 km². It is bounded by the state of Assam to its north, Wokha to its west, Tuensang to its east, and Zunheboto to its...
). Son of Rev. Subongwati Ao, he started playing football from his school days. He completed his schooling from Impur Christian School and he was the captain of his school's football team.
Career
Ao started his football career with the Maharana Athletic Club in GuwahatiGuwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
. A barefooted player, he led the Indian football team
India national football team
The Indian national football team is the national football team of India and is governed by the All India Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Since 1948, the AIFF has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for football. In 1954, AIFF became...
at the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as captain of the first national team after independence. One of the stalwarts of Indian football, five decades ago, Ao represented Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is a sports club in India, best known for its football team based in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal. It is one of the oldest football clubs in Asia, having been established in 1889...
from 1943–1952 and was captain of the club for two years.
Well known for his sportsmanship, it was evident in the 1950 Durand Cup
Durand Cup
The Durand Football Tournament was started by then, India's Foreign Secretary, Mortimer Durand at Simla, India, in 1888. The initial matches were played in Dagshai. It was basically initiated, as a recreation for British troops stationed in India. The Durand Cup was twice suspended, during the two...
final between Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad Police. In a classic Durand final, Bagan led their opponents 2-0 when midway through the second half, their goalkeeper K. Datta was injured and carried off. In those days substitutions were not allowed. Ao who was playing as one of the half backs at once changed his jersey and played in Dutta's place. He performed heroically even though Hyderabad City Police drew 2-2 and went on to win the replay 1-0.
After his retirement from football Ao studied medicine at the R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital
R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital [আর.জি.কর মেডিক্যাল কলেজ & হাসপাতাল] is one of the oldest medical college and tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal in India named after the famous physician Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar [ ডা. রাধাগোবিন্দ কর ], the founder of the institution.- History, :In...
. A skilled doctor, he rose to become director of Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
Health Service. Ao retired from this position in 1978 and devoted his time to promotion of sports in North-East India. He received the Mohun Bagan Ratna award, given by the club to its most celebrated former players.
In 1998, Ao died on in the Kohima
Kohima
Kohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
district of Nagaland at the age of 80. Paying tributes to Ao, another stalwart of a bygone era, Sailen Manna
Sailen Manna
Sailendra Nath Manna , known popularly as Sailen Manna, is an Indian International Footballer and is considered to be one of the best defenders India has ever produced. He has represented and captained India in different international competitions including Olympics and Asian Games...
said, "Ao was a hardworking player with a superb sense of timing in his tackles and a great team-man." The main stadium in Guwahati is named after him.
Awards and achievements
- Mohun Bagan Ratna Award in 2002
- 1948 - He was the Captain of First Indian Olympic Football Team (Barefooted)- LONDON
- 1951 - Played against Foreign Teams such as Hong Kong, Philippines, Thaiiland, Singapore, Japan, France, Burma
- 1937 - Winner of All Assam Inter School Athletic Meet
- 1946 and 1947 - Winner Individual Championship Trophy at the Kolkata University Athletic Meet
- He was the first NAGA Community Sports Commissioner of India