Bhaichung Bhutia wants to become AIFF President one day
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has said that he will consider contesting for the post of All India Football Federation (AIFF) President in future. The celebrated striker had retired from the game in 2011 after being India's poster boy for more than a decade. While answering a question on Facebook, Bhutia revealed his ambition. Here's more.
Bhutia said he will definitely consider becoming AIFF President. "That is definitely something to be considered in future," he said while answering questions on Facebook. "At the moment I am focusing on grassroots football with Baichung Bhutia Football School and United Sikkim club and also at district level. In future, I will definitely consider it (the AIFF President's post)," said the legendary striker.
Praful Patel is the current AIFF President and has effectively been at the helm of affairs since 2008 when then chief Priyaranjan Das Munshi fell sick. Patel was elected as President in 2012 and again in 2016, and is unlikely to be eligible to fight for the top job this year under the Sports Code. This opens up a place for the President's post.
Bhutia made 82 appearances for the Blue Tigers and scored 27 goals. He also represented East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in club level. Bhutia went on to win a staggering 19 trophies with East Bengal. The trophy haul included ASEAN Club Championship in 2003 and the National Football League in 2004. With Bagan, Bhaichung collected three Calcutta Football League honors, besides one IFA Shield.
Meanwhile, Bhutia was asked regarding who he feels is the best Indian forward and mid-fielder. "The most gifted striker right now is obviously Sunil Chhetri, there is nobody else. He has been scoring goals and the record itself speaks a lot." "The mid-fielder who has really impressed me this year is Brandon Fernandes of FC Goa. He has done well," Bhutia replied on Facebook.
