Guwahati: Kalyan Chaubey, a former goalkeeper for India on Friday was appointed to lead the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Chaubey defeated former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia in the election, winning 33-1.
Only 34 of India’s 36 state associations, excluding Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, were permitted to cast ballots in the elections.
With his victory, Chaubey becomes the first football player to be elected president in the 85-year history of the AIFF.
On the other hand, Manvendra Singh, president of the Rajasthan Football Association, lost against Nalapad Ahmed Haris, president of the Karnataka State Football Association, for the position of vice-president.
Kipa Ajay of Arunachal Pradesh defeated Gopalakrishna Kosaraju of Andhra Pradesh for the position of treasurer.
Bhaichung’s name was proposed by Gopalakrishna Kosaraju and seconded by Dileep Singh Shekhawat. Chaubey’s name, on the other hand, was proposed by Mulrajsinh Chudasama, the General Secretary of Gujarat Football Association and seconded by Kipa Ajay.