All Nepal Football Association receive conditional offer to host SAFF Championship in October

The All Nepal Football Association has received a formal offer from South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to host the 13th edition of SAFF Championship in October this year.

According to a press release from ANFA, from SAFF General Secretary Anwarul Huq had sent a conditional letter to ANFA General Secretary Indraman Tuladhar requesting to host the Championship in Nepal.

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) receive a formal proposal to host the SAFF Championship in October

General Secretary Tuladhar stated that ANFA will now be readying a detailed proposal for the Championship and send it to the SAFF for further approval. Thereafter, the final decision regarding hosting of the tournament will be taken at the SAFF executive meeting scheduled to take place in the first week of August.

A virtual meeting between member countries of the SAFF was earlier held on July 23 regarding the hosting nation, after Bangladesh Football Federation pulled out as hosts following the rise of covid infections in the country.

“All the countries want the tournament to be held this year. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has told us they cannot organize the tournament due to the COVID-19 situation.” SAFF General Secretary Anwarul Haque Helal said after the previous meeting.

Following Bangladesh’s pull out as hosts, three nations expressed their interest in hosting the tournament, with Nepal, India and Maldives have emerged as new contenders for the hosting rights. However, after a discussion, Nepal was decided as the most viable option for hosting the competition.

The biennial men’s football championship has previously been held in Nepal twice, first back in 1997 and the second in 2013 where Nepal lost to Afghanistan in the semi-finals.

Since its inauguration in 1993, the SAFF Championship has been South Asia’s most prestigious football tournament, taking place every two years. India has been the most successful nation with seven titles to their name, followed by defending champions Maldives who are consider one of the better teams in the South Asian circuit.

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