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Praful Patel Elected AIFF President
At the football governing body's Annual General Body Meeting, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Mr.Praful Patel was officially elected the AIFF President...
20-Oct-2009 6:36:36 PM
The Annual General Body Meeting of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) took place at the football house in Dwarka, New Delhi on Tuesday, with the major happening being that of the formal election of Acting President Praful Patel as the President of the AIFF.
He was elected by the returning officer from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Mr.Gurbir Singh. The previous President of the AIFF, Mr.Priyaranjan Dasmunsi has been unwell for quite some time now, but he has been given the post of Honourary President.
Last year the election for the post of AIFF president was to be held but with Priyaranjan Dasmunsi on ventilator, there were no applicants for the post and the members decided to continue with the ailing politician.
Patel, whose election to the biggest chair in Indian football was expected, was delighted with the outcome, and said, "I really thank everyone for the support that you have offered to me and I hope we all will work together for the upliftment and development of the game in the country."
Patel had taken over from Dasmunsi, who had problems with his health, and has been taking care of all the AIFF's operations since December 2008. During his rather short tenure, he has already succeeded in overseeing the growingly-popular I-League, as well as the Nehru Cup, which India won.
Perhaps more importantly, he also oversaw a significant cash inflow from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is to be used for the development of football in the country. From a marketing perspective, he roped in Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to be the ambassador of the AIFF, which will surely help in attracting more people to the sport.
Goal.com
He was elected by the returning officer from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Mr.Gurbir Singh. The previous President of the AIFF, Mr.Priyaranjan Dasmunsi has been unwell for quite some time now, but he has been given the post of Honourary President.
Last year the election for the post of AIFF president was to be held but with Priyaranjan Dasmunsi on ventilator, there were no applicants for the post and the members decided to continue with the ailing politician.
Patel, whose election to the biggest chair in Indian football was expected, was delighted with the outcome, and said, "I really thank everyone for the support that you have offered to me and I hope we all will work together for the upliftment and development of the game in the country."
Patel had taken over from Dasmunsi, who had problems with his health, and has been taking care of all the AIFF's operations since December 2008. During his rather short tenure, he has already succeeded in overseeing the growingly-popular I-League, as well as the Nehru Cup, which India won.
Perhaps more importantly, he also oversaw a significant cash inflow from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is to be used for the development of football in the country. From a marketing perspective, he roped in Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to be the ambassador of the AIFF, which will surely help in attracting more people to the sport.
Goal.com
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