Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday filed his nomination for the president's post in the upcoming All India Football Federation (AIFF) elections, along with former player Kalyan Chaubey.
Bhutia was proposed by his onetime national teammate Deepak Mondal and seconded by Madhu Kumari. Kumari is part of the electoral college as an 'eminent' player.
"I have filed my nominations as representative of eminent players. In the wake of the SC decision to allow players I hope the players can have a chance to serve Indian football. We want to show we can be good not only as players but also as administrators," Bhutia told PTI.
Football Delhi president Shaji Prabhakaran has also filed the nomination papers for president's post.
Also filing the nominations are former player Eugeneson Lyngdoh, through the Meghalaya football association, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's brother Ajit Banerjee.
Lyngdoh is currently serving as an MLA in the Meghalaya legislative assembly.
The deadline for filing nominations ends on Friday.
Meanwhile, Chaubey is a member of the BJP, and his name has been proposed by the Gujarat FA and seconded by the Arunachal Pradesh football association. He has not entered as an eminent player candidate.
The AIFF elections to the executive committee are to be held here on August 28.
Meanwhile, FIFA on Monday, had suspended India for "undue influence from third parties" and said the U-17 Women's World Cup "cannot currently be held in India as planned.
