Bengaluru, March 19 Bangalore will host the 2023 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship from June 21 to July 3, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey announced here on Sunday.
Announced here on Sunday, the 2023 SAFF Championship will run from 21 June to 3 July, with all member associations expected to compete for the top prize.
This will be the 13th tournament and the fourth time India will host it. Over the years, the Blue Tigers have established a dominance in the SAFF Championship, winning eight times. The Maldives, the closest country to India, have won the title twice.
The venue was announced at a press conference here on Sunday.
The event was attended by Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Secretary General of AIFF, NA Haris, Vice President of AIFF and President of Karnataka State Football Association, and Dr. K Govindaraj, President of Karnataka Olympic Association.
In this competition, the teams will be divided into two groups, and a round robin will be played in the group stage, and the top two in each group will advance to the semi-finals. The draw date will be announced at a later date.
“It is my great pleasure to announce that we will be hosting the SAFF Championship in Bangalore this June/July,” said Kalyan Chaubey.
“SAFF is a great opportunity for us to promote love and brotherhood among all countries in the South Asian region, and I believe that the players of each national team will do their best to contribute to their country.
“I would like to welcome all visiting teams with open arms as we foster brotherhood across borders. Football is one of the most powerful ways of spreading love between people and it is a privilege for us to be able to host all these games Proud moment,” he said.
A former India international, Chaubey won the SAFF Championship twice with the Blue Tigers – in Goa in 1999 and Karachi in 2005.
“Having won the SAFF Championship twice myself, I can tell you from a player’s perspective how special it is to lift the trophy and receive the medal,” Chaubey said. “I’m sure all of our players will aspire to play there.”
Dr K Govindaraj, Chairman, Karnataka State Olympic Association, said: “I am delighted that Bangalore is the venue for the SAFF Championships. Football is known all over the world and in India as a ‘beautiful sport’ and the city has been known for cultivating sports for almost a hundred years. Known for good footballers. I know this international championship will be a great success here.”
AIFF General Secretary Dr Shaji Prabhakaran said: “I am sure this will be a very successful tournament for Bengaluru. The city has a rich history of football and today, with so many game achievements here, its status as a football city is being bolstered. Rapid ascension. Karnataka has produced some of the greatest players in Indian football history over the years. They are also the latest champions of the National Football Championship.
Noting the federation’s commitment to the goals of the Vision 2047 project, the secretary-general said the SAFF Championship also provided the national team with greater international exposure. Dr Prabhakaran stressed that playing at home would give footballers a much-needed extra boost.
–IANS
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