The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is eager to invite one or two nations from exterior the South Asian area to compete in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship later this yr.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey acknowledged that getting a few higher-ranked groups will improve the competition in the match. India has historically dominated the match, successful eight of the 13 editions held thus far. The discipline often contains weaker sides like Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and others.
“This year, we want to include one or two teams from outside the SAFF region. This will create more competition for the Indian team. Having higher ranked teams in the tournament will raise the standard of Indian football. We are in discussion with stakeholders, and we will announce our decision in May,” Chaubey acknowledged in a press convention right here on Sunday.
The match shall be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 3.
Asked if Pakistan shall be allowed to compete in the match, Chaubey stated, “We will abide by the decision of the Ministry of External Affairs. However, we want to welcome all participating teams. We do not want to mix politics and sports,” Chaubey stated.
Chaubey, a former India worldwide footballer, was a part of the staff which gained the SAFF Championship in 1999 and 2005.
AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran, AIFF Vice President and Karnataka State Football Association President N.A. Haris, and Karnataka Olympic Association President Ok. Govindraj had been current at the press convention.
