Indian football: List of all AIFF presidents in history

The AIFF has seen some famous personalities take up the leadership role.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the governing body for football, futsal and beach soccer in India. Established in 1937, it oversees various domestic competitions, including the prestigious Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League.

The AIFF also conducts and runs various other tournaments like – Indian Women’s League, Indian Women’s League 2, Santosh Trophy, Senior Women’s National Football Championship, Futsal Club Championship, National Beach Soccer Championship, Super Cup, Durand Cup, Youth League and others. The federation also indirectly manages local football competitions through its member associations.

The AIFF is a member of FIFA and is also affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation and South Asian Football Federation. In recent years, the AIFF has been actively working to elevate Indian football. Significant strides have been made in youth development programs, infrastructure development, and professionalizing the domestic leagues.

The President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) holds an important role in shaping Indian football. As the highest authority figure, the President is responsible for the strategic direction, financial management, and overall governance of Indian football.

Moin-ul-Haq, a prominent figure in Indian sports administration, served as the first president of the All India Football Federation. One of his most notable achievements was leading the Indian football team to the 1948 London Olympics.

Manindra Nath Dutta Ray played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and promoting the growth of the sport. His establishment of the M. Dutta Ray Trophy, an under-21 national football championship, was a significant step in identifying and developing promising players.

Khalifa Ziauddin, often hailed as the “Iron Man of Indian Football” was also the secretary of AIFF during the 1970’s when India won a gold medal at the Asian Games, He then went on to become the AIFF president in 1980 and continued until 1988.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, lovingly addressed as Priyo Da, who is a former AIFF president, is credited with revolutionizing Indian football. He initiated the “Vision India” project, which led to the establishment of the National Football League (NFL) and later the I-League. He also founded the AIFF Elite Academy in Goa to nurture young talent. Under his leadership, India qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, a significant achievement for Indian football.

Praful Patel revitalized Indian football by reviving international friendlies, forging partnerships with global football bodies, and launching the inaugural Indian Women’s League.

The Indian Super League (ISL) was also launched under the leadership of Praful Patel This move was aimed at elevating Indian football to new heights by attracting global football stars, improving the quality of the first-tier league, and capturing the attention of Indian football fans.

These efforts by all the AIFF presidents not only enhanced India’s footballing history but also paved the way for international recognition and greater domestic growth.

Let us take a look at all the leaders who have served as AIFF presidents to date.

List of all the Presidents of AIFF

• Moin-ul-Haq – until 1948
• Pankaj Gupta – 1950-1960
• Mahindra Nath Dutta Ray – 1960-1975
• Nurul Amin – 1975-1980
• Khalifa Ziauddin – 1980-1988
• Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi – 1988-2008
• Praful Patel – 2009-2022
• Kalyan Chaubey – 2022- Present

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