Dr T. Ao: The Forgotten Hero of Indian Football Team

Late Dr T. Ao is known as the first Indian who took to the field at the 1948 Olympics as the Captain of independent India’s first National football team. Born in 1918 in Changki Village, Assam, Talimeren Ao joined Mohun Bagan, who were then in the Calcutta Football League.

He also captained the Maroon and Green in 1948 and 1949, taking over from Sarat Das. However many few of us know that Ao started his career as an MBBS. He studied medicine at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Calcutta.

He earned his MBBS degree and in 1963 returned to Nagaland where he was given the post of an Assistant Civil Surgeon. He later became Civil Surgeon. He went on to be appointed as the Director of Nagaland Health Services, from which he retired in 1978. In 2002, Ao was honored by a Mohun Bagan Ratna award by the Mohun Bagan. Additionally, he also got a lifetime membership of Mohun Bagan.

Content: https://scroll.in/article/698650/remembering-a-naga-doctor-footballer-who-led-india-in-the-1948-olympics

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