SAFF Championship 2021 will be hosted by Maldives later this year. Most Importantly South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) allows Maldives to host this year’s of tournament. Moreover the Competition will commence at the beginning of October this year.
Further SAFF confirms this news in their Virtual Conference earlier this week. Moreover the tournament will take places between October 1-13. And it is noted that the Competition is set to be back after a year gap due to Global Pandemic.
As a result of Bangladesh withdrew as host this July three Nations showed interest in hosting the tournament. The governing body and the delegates from member countries agreed on granting the rights to the Maldives over India and Nepal. Above all the ANFA (All Nepal Football Association ) was sent out a conditional offer from SAFF to submit their official proposal as hosts. And which now will goes to Maldives.
“SAFF decided to hold the Championship in Maldives because of a relatively better COVID-19 situation there, when compared to Nepal. Also, it has been long since Maldives last hosted the Championship.” – Said Indraman Tuladhar ANFA General Secretary .
SAFF Championship 2021
Above all the Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Congratulates the Football Association of Maldives for receiving the rights.
“Exciting news! Maldives has been selected as the hosts for this year’s SAFF Football Championship to be held in October. My congratulations to Maldives FA and others in the sports fraternity who worked hard to make this possible.” -Said President Ibrahim Solih.
Certainly, this year’s tournament will take part in a Round-Robin format. Further, the SAFF will confirm the total number of teams participating in the tournament later.
On the other hand, SAFF ruled out Pakistan from the tournament. As FIFA imposed a ban on the nation, Pakistan won’t able to Participate. Moreover, Bhutan may also miss out on the Competition. Because of the Covid Travel restrictions imposed by Bhutanese over foreign travels.
Meanwhile, Maldives already co-hosted the tournament with Srilanka in 2008. And they also won the Championship on their home turf.
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