The All India Football Federation condoled the death of former AIFF Vice-President, Treasurer, Executive Committee Member, and ex-Karnataka State Football Association President AR Khaleel, who passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday after a brief illness.
He was 91 and is survived by his wife and four daughters.
A prominent face in the Indian Football administration for nearly six decades, Khaleel was also active at the continental level, and on occasions was a member of Asian Football Confederation Standing Committees.
Condoling Khaleel’s death, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said, “It is sad to know that AR Khaleel is no more. His death has left an eternal void in Indian Football administration. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult hour.”
AIFF Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran said, “Khaleel ji was one of the foremost football administrators of his time, and played a big role in popularising the game in India, especially in Karnataka. His demise has left Indian Football poorer.”
A President of the KSFA for 28 years till 2018, Khaleel had worked for the game in various capacities.
He was a footballer, who ran Jawahar Union FC, one of Bengaluru’s traditional clubs, was an administrator par excellence, and served Karnataka football as an office bearer for many years.
He also donned managerial roles for the Indian National Teams in various age groups.
