Impur ground renamed as Dr. T. Ao ground

A solemn commemoration programme honoring the legacy of Dr. T. Ao, India’s first football captain in the 1948 London Olympics, was held on Friday at the Impur Mission Center, Mokokchung. The event marked the official renaming of the Impur Ground to Dr. T. Ao Ground, organized by the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) in collaboration with the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA).
The programme witnessed the presence of dignitaries including president of NFA, K. Neibou Sekhose; secretary of Youth Resources and Sports, Anthony Ngullie; general secretary of Ao Senden, Imtipokyim; and president of MDFA, N. Akok Longkumer. Each speaker paid heartfelt tributes to Dr. T. Ao, recalling his pioneering role in Indian football and his enduring inspiration for generations of athletes.
A tribute song titled “Where Legends Begin” was presented during the ceremony, setting a reflective tone before the declaration and unveiling of the renamed ground by NFA president K. Neibou Sekhose. The programme concluded with a dedicatory prayer led by Executive Secretary of ABAM, Rev. Temsü Jamir.
As part of the commemoration, an exhibition football match was played between NFA XI and ABAM XI, which ended in a spirited 1-1 draw, symbolizing unity and sportsmanship.
The renaming of the ground stands as a lasting tribute to Dr. T. Ao’s remarkable contribution to football and his legacy as a sporting icon of Nagaland and India.