The northeastern state of Nagaland has many natural wonders and stories of the past — from wildlife to World War memorials. Many decades ago, a young man from the hills of Nagaland lit up the football field with his skills. So much so that the famous English club, Arsenal FC offered him a chance to play for them. This is his story.
The reverend’s son
Changki — a small village inhabited primarily by the Ao tribe in the Naga hills. About 106 years ago, in 1918, a boy named Talimeren Ao was born in this village. His father was the first reverend of the Naga Hills district. When was about three, the family moved to the Impur Mission Compound, where they were allotted a house by the American missionaries. On a field nearby, young kids would play, often with a ball made from rags and torn clothes. Talimeren soon joined this group along with his brothers. As years passed, it appeared that he indeed had been blessed with special skills in the game of football. But his father, the honourable reverend, didn’t approve. He wanted his son to become a doctor and work for the betterment of his tribe.
A view of Changki
When the boy was in his pre-teens, great misfortune befell. The reverend passed away from typhoid with an unfulfilled last wish — to see his son become a doctor. Talimeren was now determined to honour his late father’s last wish. In 1933, he was sent to study in the Jorhat Mission School. Soon, he found a place in the school football team. After completing schooling, he joined Guwahati’s famous Cotton College and by this time, the reputation of being an opportunistic goal-scorer accompanied him everywhere. Assam's famous football club of the time, Maharana SC, practised on a ground close to Cotton College and soon, the young Naga boy was invited to join the club’s practice sessions.
An imposing centre half for Mohun Bagan
It was at Maharana Club that his talent finally got the recognition it deserved. From being a striker, his game evolved into that of an imposing centre half or back. His cool temperament and leadership qualities were also well noticed. However, even though the fame of his game spread, he remained dedicated to fulfilling his father's dream. After graduating from Cotton, he applied to different medical colleges and his candidature was accepted by Carmichael Medical College in Calcutta (presently R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital).
Soon after coming to Calcutta, he came to know that Sarat Das, his teammate at Maharana, was now playing for Kolkata’s famous Mohun Bagan Club. On Das’s insistence, he became a member of Mohun Bagan and got a chance to play for the club. It is here that his game elevated to new levels as one of the best centre halves on the Maidan. He would go on to become the captain of the team, leading them to several honours while simultaneously completing his medical education.
Talimeren Ao (first from left), an the Indian team walk out on London Ilford’s Cricklefield Stadium to play against France in the 1948 Olympics Wikimedia Commons
The first football national team captain
In 1948, the Olympics were to be held after a long gap due to the Second World War. The venue was London — the seat of power for India’s erstwhile colonial rulers, and the Indian national football team was going to participate for the first time. By then, the boy from Naga Hills was very well known in Indian football, and he was chosen to lead the side. For a bit, it seemed like Talimeren might have to miss the Olympics since his classes came in the way, but luckily, the European principal of Carmichael decided to grant him leave for the Olympics!
There is a somewhat popular legend about the Indian football team’s interaction with their English counterparts. Back in the day, many of the Indian team members played without boots. The story goes that while Talimeren and his team were practising, some of the English players taunted them for playing barefoot. The Indian captain is said to have replied, his trademark smile in place, “It is us who play football. What you play is actually boot-ball.”
India got a walkover in their opening game vs. Burma (now Myanmar) and faced the tournament favourite French team next. They went into the break, one goal down, but shocked the French by levelling in the second half. With time ticking away, the French started losing their temper and began to play rough. The Indian team was awarded two penalties, both of which were sadly wasted. In the dying minutes, France broke the Indian hearts by netting the winner. The Indians were defeated but by no means disgraced.
French caption Gabriel Robert and (right) Talimeren Ao shake hands during the 1948 match Wikimedia Commons
The doctor who refused Arsenal
It is at this juncture that one of the highlighting stories of Talimern’s football career is said to have happened. Reportedly, representatives of London’s famous Arsenal Football Club were so impressed by the game of India’s captain that they offered him a contract. However, his mind was still focused on honouring his father’s dream. So, Talimeren declined this prestigious opportunity, instead choosing to come back and complete his education. In 1950, he completed his MBBS and decided to bid adieu to Kolkata and his beloved Mohun Bagan. Club officials and his teammates pleaded with him to change his decision — Mohun Bagan even offered him a house — but for the freshly minted doctor from Naga Hills, the promise made to his father was above all else.
Dr. Talimeren Ao left Kolkata to join the ENT department at Dibrugarh Medical College, and three years later, he finally returned home as an assistant civil surgeon at Kohima Civil Hospital. He would remain a part of the medical fraternity for the next quarter of a century, retiring in 1978 as the Director of Health Services in Nagaland state. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 80 and is buried at the Naga cemetery in Dimapur.
A 2018 commemorative stamp of Dr. Talimeren Ao Wikimedia Commons
In 2002, the multifaceted Dr. Talimeren Ao, popularly known as T. Ao, was posthumously honoured by Mohun Bagan with the Mohun Bagan Ratna Award. The interesting tale of his life still remains lesser known. Perhaps, someday an intrepid filmmaker will decide to make a biopic out of the life and times of Dr. T. Ao and tell his story to the world.