The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has expressed appreciation All India Football Federation (AIFF) for rechristening the Junior Girls’ National Championship as the “Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls” in recognition of the pioneering role, achievements and contributions as the Captain of the Indian football team who was also the flag bearer of the Indian contingent at the London Olympic games in 1948.
The NDPP also said it was deeply grateful to the AIFF under the leadership of Kalyan Chaubey, the President of the AIFF for the honor conferred on the legendary “Barefoot Warrior.”
The NDPP also appreciated the initiatives and contributions made by the Government of Nagaland led by the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) under the leadership of its President and Executive Member of the AIFF, Neibu Sekhose for making this possible.
The NDPP also expressed gratitude to the Government of Nagaland for having over the years continued to honor the memory of Nagaland’s first Olympian and Captain of the Indian football team by establishing the following:
Instituting and naming the State’s highest sports award as the “Dr T Ao State Sports Award;”
Laying the foundation for the establishment of the Dr t Ao Football Academy; Naming the premier inter-district football tournament as Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Trophy;
Initiating the first Dr T Ao NE Football Championships hosted in Nagaland which is now a regular annual event;
Commemoration of Dr T Ao’s 100th birth anniversary by organizing a year long program, culminating in the Dr T Ao Memorial Lecture at the Raj Bhawan in Kohima delivered by Bhaichung Bhutia, another legend and former Captain of the Indian football team;
and publication of a coffee table book along with a production of a documentary on the life and achievements of Dr T Ao.
“While the National level acknowledgement of the achievements and contributions of the former Captain of the Indian football team has been long overdue, the decision and announcement of the present team of the AIFF will now ensure that the name and memory of Dr.T. Ao will foreverbe remembered and that his achievements will continue to inspire the present and future generation of sportspersons of Nagaland as well as the Country,” NDPP said.