With representatives from 23 districts gathering at the new Fiji FA headquarters in Vatuwaqa, Patel picked up 43 votes to defeat his closest rival Shailendra Prasad with 10 votes.
President Chung believes the Ba businessman will make a valuable contribution to the game.
“I would like to congratulate President Rajesh Patel for his achievement and extend my best wishes for success leading the Fiji FA in the years to come,” says President Chung.
“Mr. Patel’s long standing service to football coupled with his vast experience in business will no doubt hold him in good stead. I believe he is a valuable asset to the game within Fiji and Oceania.”
Patel has served two terms as Fiji FA Vice-President after being elected to the post in 2005. The former Ba President has helped to secure sponsorship for the National Soccer League (NSL) as well as developing youth football during his tenure as the National Youth League Chairman.
On the international stage, he has been a member of the FIFA Audit Committee since his appointment in 2007.
Immediately following the election Patel took the opportunity to thank his supporters and share his vision for the future.
“I would like to thank the Almighty for getting me elected tonight as the new Fiji FA President and the affiliates for having the confidence which has seen our whole group elected,” said Patel.
“With the team I have got and capable advisors I will be asking people to give their input going forward.”
Outside of football, Patel is a director of R. C. Manubhai & Co. Ltd. – a well-known Fijian company dealing in hardware and building supplies since its establishment in 1960. The new president believes he has the leadership skills to take Fiji FA to new heights but says the members will ultimately judge whether the next four-year term is a success.
“Fiji FA will see a new dawn and we will succeed in the future where the soccer loving public will appreciate what we have done. After our term if we do not perform, the delegates have a right to take us out.”
The election marks the end of an era for Dr. M S Sahu Kahn, who announced last year that he would not stand for re-election after 26 years of service in the role.
In other results, Vice-Presidents Sheik Ibrahim and Yogeshwar Singh were re-elected while Nadi’s Jiten Kumar and Lautoka’s Tarunesh Reddy were voted in as Vice-Presidents.
The new Executive will have plenty of work in the months ahead as they prepare to host some key tournaments next year including the OFC qualifiers for the men’s and women’s Olympic Football Tournaments next March as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup Stage 2 qualifying event from 1-12 June 2012.
Election results
President
Rajesh Patel (43 Votes); Shailendra Prasad (10 Votes)
Southern Vice President
Yogeshwar Singh (46 Votes); Arvin Datt (8 Votes)
Western Vice President (2)
Jiten Kumar (38 Votes); Tarunesh Reddy (44 Votes); Navneeda Goundar (7 Votes); Raymond Singh (6 Votes); Umesh Prasad (0 Votes)
Northern Vice President
Sheik Ibrahim (49 Votes); Ami Chand Koli (5 Votes)