LAS VEGAS (Nevada), March 12: Sunil Gulati, a native of India who teaches economics at Columbia University and long-time US Soccer executive, was elected president of the US Soccer Federation on Saturday.

Gulati, a US Soccer vice president who ran unopposed, replaced Robert Coniguglia, who served eight years in the post. Gulati already serves on several committees for world football governing body FIFA.

The switch at the top comes three months before the US team plays its opening World Cup match against the Czech Republic on June 12.

Gulati, a former deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer, announced plans for diversity and international relations programs.—AFP