By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be effecting a major reshuffle in its upcoming Anual General Meeting (AGM), which will see induction of three new vice-presidents as well as members from the five zones.
While Dempo Sports Club’s owner Srinivas Dempo will be elected vice-president from the west zone, Congress MP Subhash Chopra will be the representative from the north zone, with Shillong Lajong club owner Larsing Ming Sawyan replacing Ankur Dutta from the North-East.
Kerala’s KMI Mather, who is a member in the present committee, will be elevated to the post of VP from the south.
East Zone’s Subrata Dutta will continue to be the senior vice-president with Union Minister Praful Patel heading the committee. The nominations have been scrutinised and passed by Returning Officer Justice SK Aggarwal.
Welcoming Larsing Ming Sawyan’s elevation from being a member to the post of vice-presidency, an official said, “He will surely continue to do a good job. He is young and very dynamic and these are qualities that are required to take the federation ahead.”
When contacted, Sawyan said that it is an honour to be first person from Meghalaya to be elected as the vice-president of the AIFF.
While informing that the formal announcement of his election will be made during the AGM on December 20, he said that the fact is that there was no candidate who contested against him for the post of VP.
“I hope that in the next four years as VP of the apex body, I will be able to take all possible assistance from both the AIFF and FIFA for the development of football in Meghalaya, in particular, and the North East as a whole,” he said.
While replying to a query, Sawyan also pointed out that there is still plenty that needs to be done to see that Meghalaya football develops to its potential.
Going by the Sports Code, vice-president Khaleel has already served two terms and is also over 70 years old.
New Executive Committee: President: Praful Patel; Sr. vice-president: Subrata Dutta (East); Vice-presidents: Srinivas Dempo (West), Subhash Chopra (North), Larsing Ming Sawyan (North East); Treasurer: Hardev Jadeja (West). (with PTI inputs)