Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das, aged 66, passed away in New Delhi. Survived by his wife and two sons, Das had a 12-year tenure with AIFF, starting in November 2010. Prior to AIFF, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer at the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai.
Das was instrumental in overseeing significant developments in Indian football, including hosting the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup and launching the Indian Women’s League in 2017. Under his leadership, India successfully hosted major international tournaments, such as the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. In 2022, Das resigned from his AIFF post due to health reasons.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed condolences, highlighting Das’s contributions to Indian football. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan also mourned Das’s demise, acknowledging his long-standing service and impact on sports administration. A chartered accountant with a background in sports management, Das brought valuable experience to Indian football from his previous roles in international organizations.
Former AIFF Chief Praful Patel paid tribute to Das, recognizing his role in professionalizing Indian football and hosting the historic 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Patel praised Das’s commitment to youth development and modernizing the sport, extending condolences to his family and the football community.
