The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the Junior National Girls Championship will be renamed in honor of the late Dr T Ao, the first captain of the Indian Olympic Football Team (1948). The decision was made during the AIFF Executive Committee Meeting, followed by the AIFF Annual General Meeting, held earlier in Hyderabad on September 10, 2024.
The renaming is a tribute to Dr T Ao’s remarkable contributions to Indian football and his pioneering role in leading the country at the 1948 London Olympics. Dr Ao is widely celebrated for his achievements on and off the field, and this honor further cements his legacy in Indian sports history, stated the AIFF.
AIFF officials expressed their hope that this gesture will inspire future generations of players, particularly young women, to follow in the footsteps of the football legend. The AIFF looked forward to active participation and support for the upcoming tournaments under this new title, as the sport continues to grow in prominence throughout India.