Footballer-turned-politician Kalyan Chaubey's ascendancy as AIFF chief

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• Sep 2, 2022 | Poonam Nath

While Bhutia's participation had made the race more public, his opponent had been viewed as the favourite because of his political background.

Digital Desk: Former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey has been elected as the next President of the All India Football Federation, defeating former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia 33-1 in voting chosen by a 34-member voters' list comprised of state association delegates.

Chaubey, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader from West Bengal, is the first former national team player to be elected to the regulatory body of Indian football. 

The election results follow a dark period in Indian football, with the country facing a temporary ban from FIFA due to a typical example of third-party meddling after the Supreme Court established a Committee of Administrators to handle the day-to-day operations at AIFF.

While Bhutia's involvement, as a renowned football icon in the country and the second most capped India player of all time, pushed the election to the forefront, his opponent was considered a favourite due to his political experience. The 45-year-old ran in and lost the Krishnanagar general elections in 2019.

"I run a football club; I've been in the Sikkim state association for the last six years; I've had the experience of playing in England; I'm in constant contact with some of the world's top footballers; I founded the Indian football players association—only football has a players association with proper rules in place (in India)," Bhutia said when announcing his candidacy.

"Congratulations to Kalyan; I hope we can move Indian football ahead under his leadership." "I was working in football before the elections, and I'll continue after that," he stated following the news. The former India international departed midway through voting for vice president and treasurer but has affirmed that he would be an exceptional player member of the AIFF executive committee.

With FIFA lifting the suspension, Chaubey's responsibility is now greater than ever to restore administrative normality as India prepares to host the U-17 Women's World Cup in October.