Kalyan Chaubey, a former goalkeeper and now BJP leader from Bengal, is the frontrunner for the presidency of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Chaubey had filed his nomination for the top post from Gujarat, seconded by Arunachal Pradesh, is likely to succeed Praful Patel uncontested when elections are held on September 2. The aim now, as per some members, is to help Chaubey get elected uncontested. Member states have been hinting at the sudden political interest backing Chaubey’s candidature, especially given that the U-17 women’s World Cup is just a month away, and of the quiet instructions to ensure that he is through.
Sources informed that if everything goes accordingly, the state football associations will put up a unanimous panel for the elections. NA Haris (president of the Karnataka State Football Association) could be the vice-president and Kipa Ajay (secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Football Association) is the frontrunner for the treasurer’s post.
Prabhakaran could be the secretary-general or the chief executive officer.
Under the new structure, the executive committee of AIFF will have 23 officials: 17 members (inclusive of the President, a Treasurer and one Vice- President). Six members shall be drawn from eminent players list. The top four in men and top two in women will be co-opted but no two players will be from the same state.
