Football was first introduced as an Olympic sports at the Summer Olympic Games held in France in 1900. It was played by only three club teams from three nations as an exhibition sport and played again
Indian captain Talimeren Ao (right) and French captain Gaby Robert (left) shaking hands before Swedish referee Gunnar Dahlner prior to the commencement of India's first Olympic match on 31 July 1948 against France.
As dry weather, Indians were practising barefooted at Richmond Park, London
Talimeren Ao on the left, leading the Indian team to Cricklefield Stadium to play against France.
Indian team at 1948 Olympics, Talimeren Ao at the centre of first row, goalscorer Sarangapani Raman next to Ao and coach Balaidas Chatterjee to the extreme right.
Talimeren Ao
Videos
Talimeren Ao was an Indian footballer and physician from Nagaland. He is best known as the captain of the India national football team in their first ever match after independence. One of the most fam
India national football team at the Olympics
…the British media reported. At a press conference, shortly after the match, the Indians were asked why they played barefooted. The Indian captain Talimeren Ao said, "Well, you see, we play football in India, whereas you play BOOTBALL!". This was applauded by the British and the next day Ao's comment was in…
Talimeren Ao on a 2018 stamp of India
Blue Pilgrims' with the large tifo of Talimeren Ao during India's World Cup qualifying match against Oman at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, 2020.