It was always expected to be an easy victory for Kalyan Choubey but even by Indian sports administration standards, his 33-1 win against Bhaichung Bhutia to become president of the All India Football Federation on Friday was an unexpected landslide.
Choubey, the 45-year old former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan goalkeeper, became the first player-turned-president in the 85-year old history of the AIFF. Having joined the BJP a few years ago, he had also unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but with massive political support, had been considered a frontrunner for the post.
And even though he insisted his victory had nothing to do with his political affiliations — “my identity is first and foremost as a footballer that no one can deny,” he declared during an impromptu press meet – there was no denying the patronage he enjoyed. “Tell me one federation at any level that does not have political support,” he questioned, the answer obvious to all.
