NEW DELHI: In an outcome that was pre-ordained, the All India Football Federation on Friday elected BJP politician Kalyan Chaubey as president, the first former player to head the AIFF in its 85-year history.
Chaubey, who played as a goalkeeper, won 33-1 in a straight contest against the legendary Bhaichung Bhutia.
Chaubey, who lost the last parliamentary election for the Krishnanagar seat in West Bengal, never played for the India senior team though he was in the squad on a few occasions, PTI reports.
Karnataka Football Association president NA Haris, a sitting Congress MLA, won the election for the lone post of vice president, beating Manvendra Singh of Rajasthan FA 29-5.
Arunachal Pradesh’s Kipa Ajay beat Gopalakrishna Kosaraju of Andhra Pradesh for the treasurer’s post 32-1 with one vote being invalid.
All the 14 candidates who had filed nominations for as many executive committee members’ posts were elected unopposed.
The new executive committee comprises GP Palguna, Avijit Paul, P Anilkumar, Valanka Natasha Alemao, Maloji Raje Chhatrapati, Menla Ethenpa, Mohan Lal, Arif Ali, K Neibou Sekhose, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Deepak Sharma, Vijay Bali and Syed Imtiaz Husain.
Bhutia, IM Vijayan, Shabbir Ali and Climax Lawrence will be in the EC as players’ representatives.
In his first reactions after the polls, Bhutia said, “I will keep working for the betterment of Indian football in future. Congratulations to Kalyan, I hope he will take Indian football forward.
“Thanks to all football fans across India for showing supporting me so much. I’ve been working for football before the elections, and will continue to do the same. Yes, I’m there in executive committee.”
