The All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the passing of former General Secretary Kushal Das, who served the federation from 2010 to 2022. Das passed away on Friday at the age of 66. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
A chartered accountant by profession, Das brought extensive experience in sports management and administration to Indian football. In his early career, he worked with several international organisations, including PwC, GSK, and Shell. In 1996, he joined IMG as chief financial officer when the global sports marketing and television company entered the Indian market.
Das later served as Chief Financial Officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Dubai, strengthening his credentials in international sports administration.
In November 2010, Das took charge as AIFF general secretary, a position he held for more than a decade. During his tenure, he oversaw landmark events and structural changes that helped raise the profile of Indian football. India successfully hosted the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the Indian Women’s League was launched in 2017, marking a significant milestone for women’s football. Towards the end of his tenure, India also hosted major international tournaments, including the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said:
“Kushal Das played an important role in the administration and development of Indian football during his tenure as General Secretary. His efforts towards Indian football will always be remembered. On behalf of the entire Indian football fraternity, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan added:
“It is indeed sad to hear of Mr Das’s demise. During his 12-year tenure, Football House saw many changes, and several new departments were created. I had personally reached out to him on numerous occasions, and his passing leaves a huge void in sports administration. May his soul rest in peace.”
Das’s leadership and vision helped professionalise Indian football and left a lasting impact on the sport’s infrastructure and development in the country.