India notebook: Dasmunshi once again elected AIFF president

All expectations of a close battle belied as the old order re-established itself in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) elections on Saturday. Under heavy pressure during the last one month from the recently formed Indian Premier Football Association (IPFA), Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, the reigning president of AIFF pulled out all his trumps to ensure a verdict in his favour.

In the ultimate analyses it was proved that he could have won even without the "emergency measures." He won by a 23-10 margin to extend his 12-year-old reign by another four years.

His challenger, Samir Thapar, an industrialist and the inspiration behind JCT Mills of Phagwara, was understandably disappointed at the low return of votes in his favour, but extended his support to Dasmunshi and his team in their bid to improve the football image of the country. He, however, expressed his reservations about AIFF's decision to affiliate some states just before the voting.

In an unprecedented step Dasmunshi had exercised his prerogative as president by allowing voting rights to Chandigarh and Daman and Diu, who had been admitted as members just before the elections.

Having won his post comfortably he wanted a compromise candidate and picked Alberto Colaco, the popular secretary of the National League Committee, to contest against incumbent K.N. Mour for the secretary's post. He asked P.P. Laxmanan, from Kerala, to withdraw and Colaco won the straight contest 19-14.

Colaco, who has the goodwill of both the sides, could well be the best choice for this most important post. Meanwhile, the current edition of the League took off on Thursday in Delhi without any sponsor. The lack of cash was too evident in the opener between Mohun Bagan and JCT Club of Phagwara.

Dasmunshi displayed rare political acumen by including Prafull Patel as senior vice president and the IPFA chief Vijaya Mallya, representing Pondicherry, as one of the vice presidents.