12 Facts About Talimeren Ao

Talimeren Ao was an Indian footballer and physician from Nagaland.

Talimeren Ao is best known as the captain of the India national football team in their first ever match after independence.

Talimeren Ao later joined Jorhat Christian Mission School and captained its football team.

Talimeren Ao captained the Maroon and Green in 1948 and 1949, taking over from Sarat Das.

Talimeren Ao was given the captain's armband in 1948 to captain the Indian Football Team in London.

Talimeren Ao led the team at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, in their first official game and was flag-bearer of the Indian contingent.

Talimeren Ao went on to play few friendly matches in their Nederlands tour, where they went down to Sparta Rotterdam, but managed to win against Ajax Amsterdam.

Talimeren Ao played for Syed Abdul Rahim managed India until 1951, but missed a golden opportunity to play in the biggest tournament on earth, as India had not gone to the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Talimeren Ao earned MBBS degree from there, and in 1963, returned to Nagaland where he was given the post of Assistant Civil Surgeon.

Talimeren Ao was transported from Dimapur to Kohima, hospitalised and finally died in the Naga Civil Hospital, where he first served as Civil Surgeon in the early 1960s.

Talimeren Ao wished to be and was buried in the Naga Cemetery, Khermahal, Dimapur.

Talimeren Ao had two sons, two daughters and eight grandchildren.