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Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya unveiling a commemorative stamp featuring Dr. T Ao at the Rah Bhavan on Jan. 28.(DIPR)[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Jan. 28 (EMN): It took the 100th birthday of Dr. Subongwati Talimeren Ningdangri, popularly Dr. T Ao, for his home state of Nagaland to finally honour the legacy of its first Olympian. He was the captain of the Indian football team at the 1948 London Olympics.
A solemn and poignant programme in remembrance of the legendary Naga footballer, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary, was held at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima with governor of Nagaland PB Acharya as its chief guest.
Born on Jan. 28 1918 at Changki village in the then Naga Hills of the undivided state of Assam, T Ao was the fourth of eleven children.
Since his early childhood, Ao is said to have displayed a strong inclination for sports and athletic activities. In 1937, he was awarded the ‘best sportsperson trophy’ at the inter-high school tournament in Jorhat and was the individual champion (athlete) of Cotton College for two consecutive years. He won the individual championship in athletics at Calcutta University in 1946 and 1947 also.
Ao played for Cotton College and the reputed Maharana Club of Guwahati till 1942 and in 1943, he joined the renowned Mohun Bagan Club of Calcutta and played for the club for nine years (1943-51) and captained it for two years.
Ao was then chosen to play in the India XI against European teams and also lead the Indian football team to play exhibition matches in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Dacca. With him in the team, Bengal won the Provincial Santosh Trophy in 1945 at Bombay.
Ao captained the first free-India football team to the 1948 London Olympics and was the flag-bearer for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony on Jul. 29 1948.
Acharya recalled the immense contributions made by Dr. Ao, both in the field of sports and academics. He said that the young generation must emulate his ideals and set goals for their future.
The governor informed that in recognition of the immense contribution made by Dr. TAo, the Raj Bhavan had instituted awards in his name in the field of sports, academics and extra-curricular activities in several schools and colleges in Nagaland as well as in prestigious universities in other parts of India such as the JNU, NITTE, Manipal and Mumbai.
Acharya pointed to the need for the state of Nagaland to have a national-level stadium to host national events and to develop more infrastructure for sports in the state which he said would not only attract more talented youths to sports but can host national-level events as well.
Indianoba Tally, the youngest son of Dr. T Ao expressed delight and gratitude on behalf of his family for honouring his father, and wished that his father were alive today to personally receive the honour.
“Perhaps in his lifetime his achievements were not recognised fully because they were so awesome,” said Tally. He added that it could be because his father was not self-promoting and humbly attributed all his success to God.
At the same time, he expressed hope that remembering and honouring his father’s achievements may possibly inspire young Nagas. Paying rich tribute to Dr. T Ao, T Meren Paul, the secretary general of the Nagaland Olympic Association said, ‘Dr. Ao is not only a household name but he is a legend and will be remembered by posterity’.
The official pointed out that Dr. Ao was more popular in Bengal than in Nagaland as they never forgot his contribution in popularising football in Bengal.
The governor also unveiled a portrait of Dr. T Ao painted by Naga artist Vineizotuo Z Tase. Commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary is the marking of a yearlong celebration which will include a series of activities, events and initiatives to ensure that not only is the legend of Dr T Ao remembered, but also that the sports he loved would be revisited with renewed focus, fervour, and vision.
Recollecting his friendship with Dr. T Ao, 91-year old Lanu Toy – nine years junior to Ao – described their friendship as ‘warm, close, most enjoyable and life-long’.
Their friendship, he remembered, began in 1946 when Ao’s popularity was at its peak and was recognised even in the ‘remotest streets’ of Calcutta.
Toy mentioned three qualities of Dr. Ao that made him one of the most outstanding sports personalities in India: ‘impeccable talents, capability and excellence in all sporting discipline’. Ao’s performances in other sports were ‘equally of the highest standard’, according to Toy.
Toy recalled that his friend participated competitively in games such as volleyball, badminton, basketball, hockey, long-jump, javelin throw etc., and could win first prize in most of the disciplines.
Remembering his friend as ‘most unassuming, disciplined, transparent and honest, principled, responsible and consistent’ in all his dealings in life, Toy said that these qualities greatly contributed to enhancing the popularity of Ao.
Considering himself as ‘most fortunate’ to be associated with Ao, he said that their common interest in sport activities brought them closer.
Toy regretted that Ao’s achievements and contributions towards the enhancement of the Naga image were not given sufficient recognition by Nagaland during his friend’s lifetime. Nonetheless, he was grateful that the achievements and contributions of his dear friend were now being gradually recognised, besides ‘greatly deserved’ tributes were now being paid.
Toy was optimistic that Ao’s life of success would continue to be a source of encouragement for many to aim high and excel in life. “May his great exemplary life continue to inspire our youth in particular and may Nagaland produce many more T Aos in the future,” Toy said.
