Good Sports: SOCCER CHIEF STEPS DOWN
Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer for the last 12 years, has decided not to seek a fourth term as head of the federation.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about it and talking about it with people in many different positions—many of whom told me I should run,” Gulati told ESPN. “But in the end, I think the best thing for me personally, and for the federation, is to see someone new in the job.”
His departure comes on the heels of a crushing loss to Trinidad and Tobago that kept the men’s national team from making its 8th straight trip to the World Cup Finals. But it shouldn’t overshadow Gulati’s achievements during his long association with U.S. Soccer.
The Allahabad-born Gulati, 58, who teaches economics at Columbia University, has fostered the immense growth of soccer in America and was instrumental in the formation of a professional women’s soccer league in 2012.
While he isn’t running for re-election, Gulati is still trying to get votes—from FIFA’s Congress. “I’m going to spend a lot of time over the next six months trying to win an election, and that election is to bring the 2026 World Cup here,” he said.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
