Dasmunshi stays as the boss

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 16: Much like a football match where after the regulation period the game enters extra-time, tie-breaker and golden go...

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 16: Much like a football match where after the regulation period the game enters extra-time, tie-breaker and golden goal, the All-India Football Federation had its election at the annual general body meeting. After the day-long battle, held inside the closed rooms of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, AIFF had no surprises. It’s long-reigning emperor Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi continues to rule football in India, with his reign extending to a record fourth term.

In a much-awaited decision, Dasmunshi defeated Sameer Thapar by 23 votes to 10. A disappointed Thapar later said that he will extend full support to Dasmunshi and his team for the development of football in the country. He, however, expressed his reservations about AIFF’s decision to affliate some states just before the elections.

Barring KN Mour’s defeat, who lost to Alberto Coloaso for the post of general secretary, there was not much change in Dasmunshi’s line-up. In fact, after Thapar’s defeat, according to sources, Dasmunshi, Vijay Mallya, Prafull Patel and Thapar had requested Mour to withdraw his candidature to avoid further embarrassment and let Dasmunshi make his team. In fact, PP Laxmanan withdrew his candidature in favour of Coloaso, who went ahead to beat Mour 19-14.

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For the post of treasurer, Karnataka’s AR Khaleel edged out Ranjit Gupta 19-13.

It came as a big relief for Dasmunshi, who after the revolt by top nine clubs of the country and the formation of Indian Premier Football Association (IPFA) as the elections passed smoothly.

Shortly after the elections, Dasmunshi came up with his team. He announced Prafull Patel as the senior vice-president of while Auto Majhor (Nagaland), CR Vishwanathan (Tamil Nadu), Vijay Mllya (Pondicherry) and Rizauddin (Uttar Pradesh) will be the other vice-presidents.

Among other decisions taken today, two associate members — Chandigarh and Daman and Diu — were given full membership by the AIFF president just ahead of the elections and were allowed to vote, raising the total number of voters to 33.

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Dasmunshi has called an emergency meeting of the AIFF’s new executive body to work out the details for the Millenium Cup, Coaching camp, youth development programmes and the Brazilian coach.

AIFF office-bearers

President:Priya Ranjan Das Munshi
Executivce president: PP Laxman
General Secretary:Alberto Coloaso
Treasurer: AR Khalil
Vice-presidents: Prafull Patel, Auto Majhor, CR Vishwanathan, Vijay Mallya, Rizauddin
Executive members: H Jadeja (Gujarat), B Diengdo (Meghalaya), SS Huda (Rajasthan), Ijaz Hussain (Bihar), NA Khan (J&K)
Chairman of Afro-Asian Games, pre World Cup committee: Ashok Ghosh
Chairman of referees board: SR Deb

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