Kuala Lumpur, Apr 6 : All India Football Federation president Praful Patel was Saturday elected as a FIFA Council member, becoming the first Indian to enter the prestigious panel in a landmark development.
Patel got 38 out of 46 votes.
The AIFF chief was one of the eight candidates vying for the spot in the election which was held during the 29th AFC (Asian Football Confederations) Congress in the Malaysian capital.
A total of five candidates, including Patel, was elected in addition to the AFC president, and one female member for the term 2019-2013.
“I am extremely humbled. I express my gratitude to all the members of the AFC who felt me suitable for the post. The responsibility as a FIFA Council member is huge. I would not only be representing my own country but the entire continent. Thank you all for your confidence for rapid progress of football in Asia,” Patel stated.
Patel was accompanied by AIFF general secretary Kushal Das and senior vice-president Subrata Datta.
“Mr. Patel’s victory is a “landmark for Indian football”. Congratulations to Mr. Patel. He fully deserves this honour. His leadership has taken Indian football to greater heights. Asian football will immensely benefit from his presence as a FIFA Council member,” Datta told PTI.
The AFC Electoral committee and the FIFA Review Committee conducted the eligibility review of the candidates.
Das said, “We at AIFF are extremely proud of him. This is a major development for India’s football fraternity. Best wishes on his new endeavour.”
Under Patel’s leadership, AIFF has been awarded with the AFC’s President Recognition award for grassroots at the AFC Annual Awards in 2014 in Manila, and was given an award for the AFC Best Developing Member Association at the in 2016.
