Who is Kalyan Chaubey? Former India goalkeeper becomes new AIFF President

Former India goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey has been elected as the next President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It is pertinent to note that Chaubey has become the first footballer from the country to hold the top post in India's football governing body. Fellow former footballer and ex-India striker Bhaichung Bhutia had also filed his nomination for the President's post in the AIFF elections. 

Currently, AIFF is looking to clean up its rank it was banned by FIFA concerning 'undue influence from third parties'. The Supreme Court had earlier postponed the August 28 elections by one week to kick off the nomination process. The order came after a fresh plea was filed by the Sports Ministry seeking modification of the May 18 and August 3 orders of the Court, after consultation with FIFA. The ban was lifted on August 26 after the Supreme Court disbanded the Committee of Administrators, handing back control of daily affairs to AIFF.

Kalyan Chaubey becomes the next AIFF President

Kalyan Chaubey, who is a BJP leader in West Bengal, had filed his nomination for the AIFF President's position from Gujarat. The candidates with valid nominations had a chance to withdraw the nomination, if they wanted, on August 29 while the returning officer had to prepare the final list of contesting candidates and put it on the AIFF website on August 30. The elections to the AIFF Executive Committee was held on September 2 at the AIFF Headquarter in New Delhi with Chaubey emerging as the clear winner.

Kalyan Chaubey career

Besides winning club honours, Kalyan Chaubey won the SAFF Championship twice (1999 and 2005) with India as well as winning the South Asian Games bronze medal in 1999. Chaubey is a graduate of Tata Football Academy and went on to play for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. In 2002, the former goalkeeper had trials with Germany’s second division side Karlsruher SC and German amateur club VfR Heilbronn. After retiring from football, Chaubey worked with Mohun Bagan Academy from 2011 to 2013 as well as with some youth development programs.