Taj Mohammad (; born 1924) also known as Taj Lala or Taj Senior, was a footballer who played as a defender. Born in the Quetta district in the Baluchistan Agency in British India (present-day Pakistan), he represented India during the 1948 Summer Olympics.
Belonging to the Tareen tribe of ethnic Pashtuns, Mohammad was born in 1924 in Killa Batezai in the Quetta district (modern-day Pishin district) of Baluchistan Agency of British India.
Mohammad started his youth career with Prince Club of Quetta in which he played for 6 years. In 1940, when he toured Lucknow with the Hazara Club and represented the Sandemans Club in the Rovers Cup in Bombay, he was called up by Kolkata Mohammedan where he formed a formidable defence along with Balochistan fellow Jumma Khan.
In 1946, the Mysore Football Association alleged three players, including Mohammad, along with Ismail Jan and Osman Jan, had played in Quetta the year before. This was a contradiction to Rule 33, which stated that a player can also play for a home club while playing in the Calcutta League. All three players were suspended for two months.
In 1948, Mohammad joined Bhawanipore Club in Calcutta. He played for East Bengal in 1949 at Calcutta Football League.
Following the partition, Mohammad moved to Pakistan where he played for several clubs, including Muslim Club of Quetta, Afghan Club and Karachi Kickers. In 1955, he toured India with Karachi Kickers and the next year went on tour to Tehran with Hazara Club Quetta. He represented Balochistan in the National Football Championship. And also played for Raiders for their participation in the Rovers Cup. Towards the end of his career, Taj joined North-Western Railway in 1957, where he'd play till the rest of his career.
Mohammad competed in the men's tournament at the 1948 Summer Olympics with the India national team. The following year, he toured Ceylon with India, playing in several matches against local sides.
After representing India at international level, he migrated back to his hometown in Pakistan.
After his retirement from the game, Mohammad worked in a government school where he retired in 1975. He spent his later life in abject poverty. The Taj Lala Football Stadium in Pishin is named after him.
Bengal
East Bengal