All India Football Federation renamed the Junior Girls’ National Championship to pay tribute to India’s first men’s Olympic football captain, Dr. Talimeren Ao, on Wednesday. The new name for the championship will be “Dr. Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls” honouring the prodigious talent. This remarkable change will be enforced from the 2025-26 season. 

Alongside renaming the tournament, the AIFF plans to commission a biography chronicling Dr. Talimeren Ao's inspiring journey from Changki village in Nagaland to becoming a prominent figure in Indian football, notably leading the national team at the 1948 Olympics. 

Reports also highlight that Dr. Ao received offers from prestigious English clubs, including Arsenal FC, during his career.

The AIFF president, Kalyan Chaubey while talking about this change stated - 

“Dr. Talimeren Ao is an inspiring figure, and his journey must be brought to life in today’s context, else I’m afraid we probably are the last generation to know of the legends”. 

He further continued - “The naming of our Junior Girls National Championship and a biography book, in my view, will be a humble ode by the federation to our national hero — who went on to captain the first independent Indian football team and the 1948 Summer Olympics.”

The AIFF recently honoured Rajmata Jijabai by naming the Senior Women’s National Championship trophy after her, while the Under-20 Boys National Championship trophy has been dedicated as the Swami Vivekananda Cup.

The Championship will now organise its 18th edition with Manipur in the dominating stance securing 11 titles And two runners-up finishes.