AIFF renames Junior Girls National Championship to honour Dr Talimeren Ao.

The AIFF on Wednesday rechristened the Junior Girls’ National Championship in the name of India’s first men’s Olympic football captain Doctor Talimeren Ao in its bid to recognise his contribution to the game.

Starting from the 2025-26 season, the tournament will be known as the “Dr. Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls”, the AIFF stated.

This change marks the first national tribute to Dr Ao by the Federation, acknowledging his pioneering role and achievements in the sport.

The championship, now in its 18th edition, has been dominated by Manipur with 11 titles and two runners-up finishes.

In addition to the tournament renaming, the AIFF plans to commission a biography detailing Dr Ao’s remarkable journey from his native Changki village in Nagaland to becoming a prominent figure in Indian football, with notable achievements including leading the national team at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

It is also reported that Dr Ao received offers from prestigious English clubs such as Arsenal FC during his career. He reportedly declined the contract to complete his medical studies and fulfill his father’s dream.

Despite his father’s wish for him to become a doctor, Ao excelled in football with Mohun Bagan and captained India at the Olympics.

Ao became a prominent physician, serving as the director of Health Services in Nagaland.

Posthumously he was honoured with the Mohun Bagan Ratna Award in 2002.

The AIFF has recently named the Senior Women’s National Championship trophy after Rajmata Jijabai and dedicated the Under-20 Boys National Championship trophy to Swami Vivekananda Cup.