Bhaichung Bhutia files nomination for AIFF President's post; Chaubey emerges as front runner

The legendary Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday filed his nomination for the president's post in the upcoming All India Football Federation (AIFF) elections even as former player Kalyan Chaubey has emerged as the front runner in the race for the top job.

Former national teammate Deepak Mondal proposed ex-captain Bhutia, and Madhu Kumari seconded it. Kumari is a "eminent" player in the electoral college.

"I have filed my nominations as representative of eminent players. In the wake of the SC decision to allow players I hope the players can have a chance to serve Indian football. We want to show we can be good not only as players but also as administrators," Bhutia told PTI. 

Also read: FIFA bans AIFF: Who is responsible for this colossal mess in Indian football? What next?

Shaji Prabhakaran, the president of Football Delhi, has also submitted his application for the position of AIFF president. Former footballer Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Ajit Banerjee, the brother of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have also submitted nominations through the Meghalaya Football Association. Currently, Lyngdoh is a member of the Meghalaya legislative assembly. On Friday, the deadline for submitting nominations expires.

Like his legendary contemporary Bhutia, Chaubey, a former goalie for India who has played for Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, appeared to be in the lead for the top position.

Although Chaubey is a member of the governing BJP, the Gujarat FA and the Arunachal Pradesh football association have both supported his nomination. While the nation's home minister is from Gujarat, the law ministry is led by Kiren Rijiju, an Arunachal native.

The AIFF elections to the executive committee will be held in New Delhi on August 28. 

The fact that Chaubey entered the race as a normal candidate may help his cause since FIFA opposes the country's top leadership body being led by eminent players.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) in charge of football in India had agreed to hold the elections for the sports organisation without granting vote rights to "eminent" players as per the request of the international body hours before FIFA banned AIFF earlier this week.

Also read: FIFA bans AIFF: Indian football team likely to miss these competitions

FIFA on Tuesday suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and stated that the U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot now be conducted in India as planned," which was a major loss for the nation.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the 36 state associations and 36 prominent football players—24 men and 12 women—would make up the electoral college for the AIFF's executive committee.

The athletes should have retired from international competitions two years prior to the announcement of the polls and played at least one international match for India.

Former captain Bhaichung, 45, is regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the nation and is known as the "Sikkimese Sniper" for his goal-scoring skill. The affable striker was the first footballer from India to appear in more than 100 games for his country.

Also read: Who is Manisha Kalyan, the first Indian to play in UEFA Women's Champions League?

After participating in the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar and making his debut in 1995, he decided to end his career in international football a few months later. He had a distinguished career playing for notable Indian clubs including JCT, East Bengal, and Mohun Bagan. He also spent a short time with English club FC Bury (1999 to 2002).

(With inputs from PTI)

• AIFF
• FIFA
• Bhaichung Bhutia
• Football
• Indian Football