AIFF President Praful Patel becomes first ever Indian to be elected member of FIFA Council

The 62-year-old picked up 38 votes, the highest along with Kohzo Tas.

All India Football Federation President Mr. Praful Patel was elected a FIFA Council Member at the 29th AFC Congress Malaysia 2019 held in Kuala Lumpur earlier on Saturday (April 6, 2019).

A total of five candidates including Mr. Patel was elected in addition to the AFC President, and one female member for the term 2019-2013. Mr. Patel secured the highest number of votes -- 38.

Moments after being elected a FIFA Council member, Mr. Patel thanked all for the support. “I am extremely humbled. I express my gratitude to all the members of the AFC who felt me suitable for the post,” he said. “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,” he stated.

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation congratulated Mr. Patel on the achievement. “We at AIFF are extremely proud of him. This is a major development for India’s Football fraternity. Best wishes on his new endeavour,” he expressed.

Under Mr. Patel’s leadership, AIFF has been awarded with AFC’s President Recognition Award for Grassroot at the AFC Annual Awards in 2014 in Manila, and was awarded AFC Award for the AFC Best Developing Member Association at the AFC Annual Awards in 2016 in Abu Dhabi.

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The successful hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 drew lavish praise from all quarters, and India have also successfully won the bid to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020. Furthermore, the Indian Club Licensing system has also been dubbed as one of the ‘best in Asia.’

Hailing Mr. Patel’s election as a “landmark for Indian Football” AIFF Senior Vice President Mr. Subrata Dutta said: “Congratulations to Mr. Patel. He fully deserves this honour. His leadership has taken Indian Football to higher heights. Asian Football will immensely benefit from his presence as a FIFA Council member.”