Bhaichung Bhutia, Kalyan Chaubey in AIFF top post contest

Bhaichung Bhutia is not used to being the underdog in an Indian football setting. But the former India captain and the first with over 100 internationals could be in the battle for the president’s post of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Bhutia filed his nomination on Thursday as did former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey who, if the turnout at a meeting he attended in New Delhi on Wednesday is any indication, has the backing of most state associations. Representatives of around 28 of AIFF’s 34 affiliates eligible to vote have endorsed the former Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Salgaocar goalkeeper as their choice, according to a state association president who attended the meeting. The official requested anonymity given the sensitive nature of the issue.

Of AIFF’s 36 affiliates, Ladakh is a provisional member and can’t vote. With elections pending, Jammu and Kashmir too cannot vote.

If Bhutia is fazed by all this, he isn’t showing it. “I have filed my nomination for AIFF president’s post as I feel I am the right person for the job,” Bhutia was quoted as saying by PTI.

Chaubey and Bhutia were teammates at East Bengal from 1997-99. Both are 45.

Filing of nominations opened on Thursday and candidates have till August 30 to withdraw. Elections are scheduled on September 2.

Bhutia’s nomination was proposed by Andhra Football Association (AFA) and seconded by Rajasthan Football Association, according to PTI. For Chaubey, Gujarat State Football Association was the proposer and seconded by Arunachal Pradesh Football Association. Nominations close at 1pm on Saturday.

There will be 14 executive committee members apart from the president, treasurer and the vice-president. On Thursday, 13 filed nominations. “We had 14 ready but the representative from Rajasthan opted out after his state backed Bhutia,” said the state president quoted above.

Even if he loses, Bhutia can be part of the AIFF executive committee which will co-opt have six eminent players including two women. Bhutia tops the list of former internationals having played 107 games.

Nominations, Day 1:

President: Bhaichung Bhutia; Kalyan Chaubey.

Vice-president: NA Haris.

Treasurer: Kipa Ajay; Gopalkrishna Kosaraju.

Executive committee: GP Palguna; Avijit Paul; Anilkumar P; Valanka Alemao; Maloji Chhatrapati; Menla Ethenpa; Mohan Lal; Arif Ali; K Sekhose, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Deepak Sharma, Vijay Bali, Syed Husain.