AIFF sets election date as Chaubey defends hosting costs as Sony extend ISL deal
AIFF has set December 20 elections as president Kalyan Chaubey assured members that three high-profile international friendlies would impose no immediate financial burden on the federation.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will elect its next leadership on December 20 after members agreed an electoral timetable at a meeting where president Kalyan Chaubey also addressed the financial implications of hosting three international friendlies.Officials estimate the fixtures could cost between ₹80 crore and ₹85 crore, although three state association representatives confirmed that Chaubey told the October 4 meeting the federation had not used its own money so far.Discussing the infrastructure demands associated with hosting international football, Chaubey said: “We would have needed at least five stadiums with each requiring a lot of investment to bring them up to standards demanded by AFC (Asian Football Confederation). It was not possible then.“It needed 16-hour work days for over one month to get the Salt Lake stadium ready to the standards demanded by CBF (the Brazilian federation). It needed a lot of help from the state government.”Chaubey linked those requirements to AIFF’s December 2022 decision to withdraw from consideration as hosts of the 2027 Asian Cup, using the work needed for the current fixtures to illustrate the scale of tournament investment.His assurance concerned the absence of an immediate burden on AIFF, rather than a published breakdown of how the full event costs would be funded, and he declined to comment when subsequently approached.The special general body meeting in Kolkata appointed Rajeev Sharma, Haryana’s former state election commissioner, as electoral officer to oversee the December vote.Members also extended the current executive committee’s tenure until December 30 or until the newly elected committee assumes office, whichever occurs first, establishing a transition period around the election.FIFA and Asian Football Confederation officials attended alongside AIFF executive committee members and representatives of the federation’s member associations, reflecting the international bodies’ continuing involvement in its governance process.The vote will select new office-bearers and an executive committee responsible for national teams, domestic competitions and development programmes, following the previous election in September 2022.Chaubey used the meeting to highlight the international relationships developed during his presidency, presenting the expanded fixture programme as part of his administration’s record ahead of the leadership contest.Reviewing that work, he continued: “In four years, we could invite Kuwait and Lebanon to the 2023 SAFF Championship which was a first. We got India an invitation to play in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, also a first, resumed our ties with the Merdeka Cup and got Brazil to come to India.”The leadership transition also coincides with commercial developments in the club-run Indian Super League (ISL), with Sony Sports Network reportedly agreeing television and digital rights for the season beginning on October 10, subject to final paperwork.A source familiar with the agreement said: “The deal has been agreed and it is subject to formalities and paperwork. All the matches will be streamed on Sony's OTT platform (SonyLIV). Most of the matches will be broadcasted on their channels (Sony Sports Network).”The league has also announced Morris Garages (MG) as its title sponsor, restoring the category after three seasons and introducing the MG Indian Super League name as clubs seek a stronger commercial foundation.ISL chief executive Karan Yadav added: “The return of a title sponsor after three seasons is a significant milestone and a strong reflection of the belief and opportunity around Indian football. As a club-led league, we are entering a new chapter with a clear ambition to build a stronger, more commercially sustainable and fan-focused ISL.”