The playground at Impur Mission Centre in Mokokchung is set to be renamed after legendary Naga footballer and first captain of Independent India’s football team, Dr Talimeren Ao.
According to reports, the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) approached the Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) and the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) to name the playground ‘Dr T Ao Ground’, as this was where the legendary footballer, popularly known as Dr T Ao, first played during his formative years.
The MDFA and NFA are learned to have accepted the proposal on account of the 25th edition of the Dr T Ao Trophy for the Nagaland Inter District Football Championship, scheduled to be held in Mokokchung later this year.
The formal renaming ceremony will be held on February 21 in the presence of Anthony Ngullie, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Youth Resources and Sports, K Neibou Sekhose, president of NFA, and other invitees. An exhibition match between ABAM and NFA is also planned.
In a letter to all the churches under its ambit, ABAM has invited all pastors and full-time workers to attend the event. A senior NFA official confirmed that the proposal has been agreed upon and will be formally endorsed on February 16.
Talimeren Ao (28 January 1918 – 13 September 1998) was born in Changki village and studied at Impur Christian School, where he captained the school team.
