Tributes Pour In for Former AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das

Kushal Das: A Legacy in Indian Football

New Delhi, March 13: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) expressed deep sorrow over the death of Kushal Das, who served as the General Secretary from 2010 until 2022. Das, who was 66 years old at the time of his passing on Friday, is survived by his wife and two sons.

Professionally trained as a Chartered Accountant, Kushal Das brought a wealth of knowledge in sports management to Indian football. Early in his career, he worked with several prestigious international firms, including PwC, GSK, and Shell, as noted in a statement from AIFF Media.

In 1996, he became the Chief Financial Officer at IMG when the global sports marketing and television production company made its debut in India. He later held the same position at the International Cricket Council in Dubai, further enhancing his credentials in the realm of international sports administration.

Das assumed the role of General Secretary at AIFF in November 2010, a position he maintained for over a decade.

During his tenure, he was instrumental in overseeing significant events and reforms that elevated the status of football in India, including the successful hosting of the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Women's football also saw notable advancements under his leadership, highlighted by the establishment of the Indian Women’s League in 2017. By the end of his term, India had successfully hosted major international competitions, such as the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey remarked, “Kushal Das was pivotal in the growth and administration of Indian football during his time as General Secretary. His contributions will be cherished. On behalf of the entire Indian football community, I extend my sincere condolences to his family during this challenging time. May he rest in peace.”

AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan added, “It is truly heartbreaking to learn of Mr. Das's passing. He was one of the longest-serving General Secretaries at AIFF, dedicating over 12 years to the role. His tenure saw numerous changes and the establishment of new departments within the organization.

“I had the privilege of reaching out to him on many occasions, and his loss creates a significant gap in sports administration. May his soul find peace,” Satyanarayan concluded.