Respected Chief Minister,
Thank you for the Dr.T.Ao Regional Football Academy.
Dr T Ao’s family is extremely grateful to everyone involved in the laying function of the Dr. T. Ao Regional Football Academy Foundation Stone on the 8th June, 2018, instant. Dr. T. Ao was not a man who promoted himself nor did he seek out favours for personal profit. It was his fans, well-wishers and admirers who honoured and kept honouring him. There are two stadiums in Dr. T. Ao’s honour in Assam and there is a Dr. T. Ao Sports Complex in Barapani, Meghalaya among other honours. We lamented that his home-State of Nagaland did not fully appreciate his contribution… until the 8th.
Our beloved and most honourable Chief Minister N. Rio made it his duty to see that things were done to honour our very own football legend and our first Naga MBBS. Our CM initiated and actively made things work out to honour our Naga legend. In November. 2009, our honourable CM launched the NE Dr. T. Ao Football Trophy with great pomp, gaiety and celebration. In Kohima, a road was named after him, the Dr. T. Ao Road. And on the 8th, he laid the foundation stone of the Dr T. Ao Reg. Football Academy. All these were made to materialise under his aegis, reliable guidance, firm leadership and remarkable acumen. May long he live and succeed from strength to strength.
The family thanks Er. Zale Neikhu and Smt. Anenla S. Longchari and the officers and staff of the Youth Resources & Sports Deptt., the Changki Sensotelongjem of both Dimapur and Chumukedima, Sri Lanuteka Lkr., Sri Talilemba Lkr., all our relatives present and every soul whom we cannot humanly remember and thank, (for their presence and moral support). We pray that the Reg. Football Academy will materialise and give a sporting platform to all deserving youngsters of the North East Region.
Lastly, we don’t have the resources or capability to contribute to the on-going project at hand but you have our prayers and unwavering support… for what you are doing and have done for my late husband and our National Treasure. Thank you all and may God bless you each one.
Mrs. Deikim T. Ao & Family
