Why this Indian football legend all set to step down from his role?

Bhaichung Bhutia has almost made up his mind to step down from his role at The AIFF. File Pic
Bhaichung Bhutia has almost made up his mind to step down from his role at The AIFF. File Pic

Internet Desk: Indian football legend and one of the most deadliest forwards of all time in the history of the football in the country, Bhaichung Bhutia has almost made up his mind to step down from his role at The AIFF. Bhaiching previously used to work as a Technical Committee member as well as a consultant for The AIFF President Praful Patel. But right now he is no more in the Technical Committee and working only as a consultant for the Federation President. Still the amount of criticism he is digesting from everywhere, including the grievances from the fans, has hurt him a lot. Thus, he decided, he should resign at an immediate effect.

As a consultant of The AIFF President, Bhaichung gets a salary around Rs.1.5 lacs, but he can only give suggestions. He has no right to take any decisions these days. Even former forward Abhishek Yadav is there in the AIFF working committee, but Bhaichung is merely a ‘consultant’. Thus, he feels that this is the perfect time to leave the stage with pride.

Even when everyone was determined to sack National Team Coach Stephen Constantine after the poor show in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, it was Bhaichung who started the battle by taking AIFF Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta on the support to extend the contract with Stephen for one more year. As a result, India is now ranked 96th in the FIFA rankings. Still, Bhaichung gets criticized, right from the former player to the fans, the ‘gun point’ has always been towards Bhaichung.

Even in the I-League and ISL controversy, the fans claimed it is Bhaichung Bhutia, who is the main obstacle for the Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to play in the cash rich league. But on a realistic ground, Bhaichung is just a ‘consultant’ of Mr.Praful Patel and he is no one to take any decision. The fans’ protest against him, though continues. Bhaichung got hurt to see that even the East Bengal fans have made him villain, despite his contribution to the club over the years.

Recently, when The AIFF President asked him to attend the meeting with the I-League clubs on the ISL controversy, Bhaichung politely avoided the proposal, sensing the possible impact of this on the fans.

Considering all the matters, Bhaichung feels, it’s the right time to step down with pride. He doesn’t want to be targeted again. Thus, he has almost decided to send the resignation letter to the AIFF before this weekend.