New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) were forced to appoint Sunando Dhar as the General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on an interim basis following the incumbent Kushal Das going on leave on health grounds.
On May 18, the apex court had appointed a three-member CoA to form the constitution of the AIFF following the National Sports Code and model guidelines and to manage its affairs. They were also tasked the carrying out the federation's long overdue election.
The CoA in a statement on Monday said, "Mr Kushal Das, General Secretary, has proceeded on leave on account of his health issues, and therefore the Committee of the Administrators has appointed Mr Sunando Dhar as an Acting General Secretary, who would be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the federation under the guidance of the Committee of Administrators".
However, some football officials have opined that there was more to development than meets the eye. Dhar, who previously served as the League's chief executive officer, was promoted to officer-on-special duty after CoA took assumed charge of the Federation.
Recently, some individuals directly associated with Indian football had made a few remarks, to which the CoA stated, "The committee has noticed that some individuals have made certain statements with regard to the working of the AIFF and its office bearers.
The said statements must be reflecting the personal views of those persons as the Committee of the Administrators have not authorised anyone to make any statement on its behalf."
Among other things, the CoA is set to brief the FIFA delegation, which is visiting the country and begins its meetings with various stakeholders from Wednesday, about its willingness to complete the task assigned to them by the top court within the stipulated time, according to PTI.
The CoA expressed its need to urgently complete the work assigned, and said, "The committee would like to conclude the work entrusted to it by the Honourable Court as soon as possible, and in the process of doing so, the draft constitution of AIFF which might be prepared by the Committee of Administrators would be placed before the Honourable Supreme Court.
"The said suggestions would be appropriately considered by the Honourable Supreme Court on 15th July as directed by the Honourable Court." It further said, "The Committee of the Administrators will do the needful for holding an election as per the new constitution suggested by the Honourable Supreme Court as soon as possible and thereafter, the Constitution shall be placed before the AIFF General Body for its approval.