India to host SAFF C’ship in June
India will host the upcoming SAFF Championship in June, it was announced yesterday after the executive committee of the South Asian Football Federation signed over the marketing and commercial rights to Dubai-based marketing company Sports Partner International for the next four editions of the regional football extravaganza.
"We have approved the tender from Sports Partner International for four editions up to 2029. Although Nepal launched a bid to host the next SAFF Championship, the first tournament during will be held in India in line with the marketing company's conditions," SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal told The Daily Star after a virtual meeting.
Helal also informed that All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) would apprise them of venues and dates by March 10.
The last edition of the SAFF Championship was held in the Maldives in 2021 after India played host in 2015.
The marketing company has also proposed holding the 2025 SAFF Championship in a different format, which will see each team play three home matches and three away matches in a one-month period instead of holding the tournament at a centralised venue.
"India has objected to the home-or-away format because it will take a long time, but the marketing company believes there is still room for discussion," Helal added. "If we don't reach a consensus in the coming days, the SAFF Championship will be held in a centralised venue like this time."
The SAFF general secretary also informed that the marketing company will provide SAFF with 1 million dollars for the 2023 SAFF Championship and 1.5 million dollars from 2025 edition, subject to the approval of the new format.
Helal also informed that the SAFF Congress would take place on May 6 April 29 in Dhaka.
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