Bhaichung Bhutia defeated as Chaubey becomes AIFF’s first-ever player-president

A former player was today installed the President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the first time in its 85-year history when Kalyan Chaubey defeated Bhaichung Bhutia in the election for the top post.

45-year-old Chaubey, who played as a goalkeeper, won by 33-1 votes against Bhutia, who did not have many supporters in the 34-member voters' list made up of state associations representatives.

A BJP politician who lost the last parliamentary election for the Krishnanagar seat in West Bengal, Chaubey never played for the India senior team though he was in the squad on a few occasions.

He, however, played for India in age-group international tournaments. He was also a former goalkeeper at Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Bhutia and Chaubey were one-time teammates at East Bengal.

In his first reactions after the polls, Bhutia said, "I will keep working for the betterment of Indian football in future. Congratulations to Kalyan, I hope he will take Indian football forward.