Subrata Dutta Pays Emotional Tribute to Late AIFF Administrator Kushal Das
The Indian football fraternity is in mourning today following the passing of Kushal Das, the former General Secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), at the age of 66. Das, a veteran administrator who served the federation for an unprecedented 12-year tenure from 2010 to 2022, breathed his last at a private hospital in Delhi this morning. Known for his sharp administrative acumen and his transition from the world of finance to the heart of Indian sports, Das leaves behind a legacy that fundamentally restructured how football is managed and marketed in India. In the wake of his passing, one of the most moving tributes came from Subrata Dutta. He was the long-standing senior vice president of the AIFF and Das’s closest collaborator. While noting the tragic news, he remembered, “I am becoming nostalgic about his interview in 2011. We have been so much more than colleagues.” “We planned for Indian football together and worked extensively for 11 years for football. He was a good man.” Dutta further added, “I have lost count of the meetings and visits we have committed to together.” A chartered accountant by training, Kushal Das brought corporate discipline to the AIFF. Before taking the helm of Indian football in 2010. Das was instrumental in securing the landmark commercial partnership with FSDL, providing the stability necessary to launch the Indian Super League (ISL) and modernise the domestic pyramid. Shedding light on the ISL issue, he stated, “If we can hold on to his legacy, Indian football would reach significant heights. Like his remarkable work on starting ISL. He had numerous meetings and played a poignant role to make ISL possible.” Das’s other crowning achievement was the successful hosting of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Under his guidance, the tournament shattered attendance records and placed India firmly on the international footballing map. He followed this by laying the groundwork for the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, signalling his commitment to elevating women’s football. “Kushal was a significant character in Indian football, and he will remain so in the future. Today we have lost someone very important in our national football history. Not only am I but also the Indian football fraternity mourning this loss.” Subrata Dutta concluded.
