AIFF Executive Committee appoints Shaji Prabhakaran as new secretary general

“Dr. Shaji’s previous experience as FIFA Regional Development Officer will bring in new and fresh ideas which will provide the much-needed fillip to Indian Football,” AIFF president said.

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, AIFF’s new secretary general | Photo Credit: AIFF Media

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey’s proposal to appoint Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran as the body’s new secretary general was unanimously approved by all the members.

“Dr. Shaji’s previous experience as FIFA Regional Development Officer will bring in new and fresh ideas which will provide the much-needed fillip to Indian Football,” Chaubey said.

Chaubey chaired an AIFF Executive Committee meeting at the Football House. Besides vice president Mr. NA Harris, and the treasurer Ajay Kipa, all the other newly elected Executive Committee members alongside the eminent footballers co-opted in the committee were present in the meeting. Only former player Bhaichung Bhutia stayed away from the proceedings.

Welcoming the members, the AIFF president said: “This is the first time that six former eminent players are part of the Committee as per the order of the Honourable Supreme Court. We need to work together, and at no time should any personal ego come as a roadblock on our endeavour to take Indian football forward together. Discipline is the key to success, and we need to be accountable as per the deadlines set.”

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The Committee, as per the AIFF president’s proposal, also unanimously appointed Sunando Dhar as the new deputy secretary general.

The Committee also decided to appoint IM Vijayan as the chairman of the new AIFF Technical Committee. Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Climax Lawrence, Harjinder Singh, Arun Malhotra and Pinki Bompal will be the other members of the AIFF Technical Committee.

Meanwhile, former India captain Shabbir Ali was unanimously named chairman of the Advisory Committee.