| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Talimeren Ao | ||
| Date of birth | 28 January 1918 | ||
| Place of birth | Changki, India | ||
| Date of death | September 13, 1998 (aged 79) | ||
| Place of death | Kohima, India | ||
| Height | 5' 10 | ||
| Playing position | Center Half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 1943 - 1952 | Mohun Bagan | ||
| National team | |||
| † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Talimeran Ao (January 28, 1918 – September 13, 1998) 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.
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Born in 1919 in the Naga 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.
Ao started his football career with the Maharana Athletic Club in Guwahati. 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.[1]