AIFF chief Patel ‘congratulates’ Colaco

NEW DELHI - A day after former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Alberto Colaco was accused of nominating himself for the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Distinguished Service Gold Star award, federation president Praful Patel Thursday stated that he had himself nominated Colaco.

According to AIFF, in his fecilitatory statement Patel said: “Its a matter of great pride and honour that Mr. Colacos distinguished service with the federation has been recognised and he has been bestowed with this coveted award.”

“Mr. Patel further added that, Mr.Colaco’s name was proposed by him as the nominee for this prestigious award,” the AIFF statement read.

Colaco has been replaced as the general secretary by Kushal Das, but his contract with the AIFF runs till Jan 31, 2011.

A senior AIFF official, demanding that he not be named, told IANS that Patel released the congratulatory statement at Calaco’s behest three days after it came to light that the federation general secretary quietly recommended his own name for the award and got it, too.

“The congratulatory message came three days after the announcement of the award,” the official noted.

“Isn’t it strange that Colaco had to plead with Patel to bail him out by asking the AIFF president to release the congratulatory statement?” the official said, speaking to IANS.