India to Host First Ever SAFF Club Championship from Sept. 1- 15

The member association of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), in the first ever SAFF seminar held in Delhi on Thursday decided to roll out a bi-annual SAFF Clubs Championship from September 1-15 every two years. India has been chosen to host the first ever SAFF Club Championship from September 1-15 this year.

AIFF’s proposed under-13 football festival have also been approved in the seminar after CEO Kausal Das clarified that a major insurance company wants to reach out to the parents of children for insurance sales for the latter.

It was agreed in the seminar that, India being the largest market amongst the member association, it will host the Championship on every alternate edition which means the event will come back to India in 2015 while any other member can host the 2013 edition for which Nepal has shown interest.

For better marketing prospect of the event, it was also decided that, bidding countries from the next edition will have to specify the venues and stadia where they propose to host matches so that SAFF can check the infrastructure of stadia – playing conditions, floodlights and other facilities and make sure that it is up to the mark to attract sponsors.

The Women’s SAFF tournament came up for discussion with lots of debate as to how it will be continued with lack of funds but all speculations were put to rest when FIFA Executive Committee member Manilal Fernando reiterated that it is of utmost importance to continue the event, despite financial hardships.

“If no other country comes forward then I will host the event. If I find sponsors, that will be fine. Otherwise my own company will finance the event,” Fernando said.

The seminar organized jointly by SAFF, AIFF and India’s biggest industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) was inaugurated by Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken and presided over by AFC President Mohammad Bin Hammam. Host of other dignitaries also attended the seminar.