NEW DELHI: The former All India Football Federation (AIFF) vice-president, treasurer and executive committee member A R Khaleel passed away on Wednesday,  May 10 due to illness, He was aged at 91.

The All India Football Federation expressed grief over  the passing of  Khaleel, who was also the former president of the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA).

"The AIFFcondoles the death of former AIFF Vice-President, Treasurer, Executive Committee Member, and Former-Karnataka State Football Association President A R . Khaleel, who passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday, May 10, 2023 after a brief illness. He was 91, and is survived by his wife and four daughters," read statement from AIFF.

Khaleel has been a well-known figure in Indian football administration for about 60 years. He was also involved on the continental stage and occasionally served on the Asian Football Confederation Standing Committees.

Expressing grief over the  Khaleel's death, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said, "It is sad to learn that AR Khaleel is no more. His death has left an eternal void in the Indian Football administration. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult hour."

"Khaleel ji was one of the top football administrators of his time, and he played a significant part in popularising the game in India, particularly in Karnataka," stated AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran. Indian Football has been made poorer by his death.

Till 2018,  Khaleel served as the KSFA's president and had contributed to the sport in a number of ways. He played football, served as the manager of Jawahar Union FC, one of Bangalore's venerable clubs, was a model official for Karnataka football for many years. He also served in managerial capacities for several age levels of the Indian National Teams.

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