Praful Patel becomes first Indian to be elected in FIFA Council
On Saturday, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel was successfully elected as a FIFA Council member, thus becoming the first Indian to enter into the prestigious panel as he got 38 out of 46 votes. His presence in the council could give India a stronger voice internationally.
Amidst all the commotion of I-League clubs forfeiting elite national tournaments while some shut shop altogether, Indian football got great news in the form of Praful Patel becoming a FIFA Council member. The AIFF chief was contesting with eight other candidates for the spot and the election was held during the 29th AFC (Asian Football Confederations) Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
"I am extremely humbled. I express my gratitude to all the members of the AFC who felt me suitable for the post. 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
Apart from Patel, the other candidates contesting were Qatar’s A Al- Mohannadi, Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Awad A. Althebity, Philippines’ Mariano V. Araneta Jr, Korea Republic’s Chung Mong Gyu, China’s Du Zhaocai, Iran’s Mehdi Taj, and Japan’s Kohzo Tashima. And Patel got 38 out of the 46 votes as a total five candidates were elected alongside the AFC president for the term 2019-2023.
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FIFA had the AFC Electoral committee and the FIFA Review Committee conduct the eligibility review of all the candidates and Patel overseeing AIFF being awarded the AFC's President Recognition award for grassroots at the AFC Annual Awards in 2014, and an award for the AFC Best Developing Member Association at the in 2016 really helped his cause.
India successfully hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup had earned the nation huge praise, which consequently helped the nation bid to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2020 and win it. The Indian Club Licensing system has also been dubbed as one of the best in Asia.
