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Candidates for Elections – SAFF Congress 2026

July 1, 2026

1 July 2026 | Dhaka

SAFF Congress 2026, 1 August, Bhutan 

In accordance with Article 25.2 of the SAFF Statutes and Article 10.2 of the SAFF Electoral Code, the Member Associations of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) were notified of the elections to be held at the SAFF Ordinary Congress on 1 August 2026 in Bhutan for the term 2026–2030.

Member Associations were invited to submit nominations for the following positions pursuant to Article 31.1 of the SAFF Statutes:

* SAFF President;
* Two (2) SAFF Vice Presidents;
* Three (3) SAFF Executive Committee Members; and
* One (1) SAFF Female Executive Committee Member.

The position of AFC Executive Committee Member representing SAFF was not included in the present electoral cycle as the current AFC Executive Committee term expires in 2027.

Following the nomination period, SAFF received the following nominations:

Candidates for Elections

  •  SAFF President

         Kazi Md. Salahuddin (Bangladesh)

  • SAFF Vice President

         Jaswar Umaru Lebbe (Sri Lanka)

  • SAFF Executive Committee Members 

         Sabbir Ahmed Arif (Bangladesh)
Hussain Shafiu (Maldives)

  • SAFF Female Executive Committee Member

         Zimbiri (Bhutan)

The nominated candidates were subsequently subject to eligibility checks conducted by the SAFF Electoral Committee in accordance with Article 31.5 of the SAFF Statutes and Articles 4.1.14 and 9.1 of the SAFF Electoral Code.

As the number of eligible candidates does not exceed the number of available positions, the candidates shall be elected by acclamation in accordance with Article 24.2 of the SAFF Statutes.

The SAFF Electoral Committee is responsible for all matters relating to the organisation, conduct and supervision of the elections and shall oversee the electoral process to ensure that it is carried out in a transparent, fair and democratic manner.

The final list of eligible candidates has been confirmed by the SAFF Electoral Committee and is published in advance of the SAFF Ordinary Congress in accordance with Article 9.3 of the SAFF Electoral Code.

The positions of one (1) SAFF Vice President, one (1) SAFF Executive Committee Member, and one (1) AFC Executive Committee Member representing SAFF remain unfilled in the present electoral cycle. These positions shall therefore be carried forward and will be subject to nomination and election at the next SAFF Congress in accordance with the relevant provisions of the SAFF Statutes and the SAFF Electoral Code.

 

More Announcement
July 1, 2026
Candidates for Elections – SAFF Congress 2026
June 23, 2026
Invitation for Audit Proposals (2026 & 2027 Cycle)

23 June 2026 | Dhaka

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) invites applications from qualified auditing firms for the 2026 and 2027 audit cycle.

Interested firms are requested to submit their proposals, clearly outlining their technical qualifications and proposed fee structure.

Applications must be sent via email to info@saffederation.org no later than 30 June 2026.

SAFF looks forward to receiving submissions from experienced and reputable auditing firms.

June 7, 2026
India Clinch SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 Title

Margao, Goa | June 6, 2026

The Indian Women’s National Football Team were crowned champions of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3–1 in a thrilling final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.

The triumph secured India a record-extending sixth title in the competition and marked their return to the top of South Asian football for the first time since 2019.

India produced a composed and clinical performance to overcome a determined Bangladesh side in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

  • 42’ – Pyari Xaxa gave India the lead with a well-taken goal.
  • 45+1’ – Ritu Porna Chakma equalised for Bangladesh in stoppage time of the first half.
  • 46’ – Sanfida Nongrum restored India’s advantage immediately after the restart.
  • 82’ – Lynda Kom Serto sealed the victory with a decisive late strike.

After a closely contested first half, India dominated the second period, showing superior control and finishing to secure the title.

Tournament Achievement

India’s championship run reflected their dominance throughout the competition:

The victory also ended Bangladesh’s reign as back-to-back champions from 2022 and 2024.

Individual Awards & Honours

The tournament concluded with recognition of standout performers:

  • Most Valuable Player: Sanfida Nongrum (India)
  • Best Goalkeeper: Panthoi Chanu (India)
  • Highest Scorer (Golden Boot): Aveka Singh (India) – 4 goals
  • Fair Play Award: Nepal

Coaches’ Reactions

Speaking after the match, India’s head coach Crispin Chettri praised the team’s resilience and unity:

“This victory is the result of hard work, discipline, and belief. The players showed tremendous character, especially after conceding the equaliser. Their response in the second half was outstanding, and they fully deserved this title.”

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s head coach Peter Buttler acknowledged India’s performance while expressing pride in his team:

“Congratulations to India for a deserving win. We fought hard and had our moments, but India capitalised better on their chances. I am proud of my players for their effort and commitment throughout the tournament.”

 

May 25, 2026
SAFF Hosts Conference for AFC Match Commissioners in South Asia

24 May 2026 | GOA

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) successfully conducted a two-day conference aimed at enhancing the knowledge and operational capabilities of AFC Match Commissioners belonging to South Asia.

The conference that took place from 23-24 May, featured a blend of expert presentations, interactive discussions, and AFC-led case studies designed to address key aspects of match management. Major topics included preparations for upcoming SAFF competitions, Match Commissioner appointment procedures, handling match incidents, best practices in reporting, operational challenges, and decision-making in football competitions.

A total of 19 officials participated in the program that was held from 23-24 May. The 19 officials, included 15 Match Commissioners, two AFC facilitators, and two SAFF delegates. The sessions emphasized real-world learning, with AFC Match Commissioners sharing personal experiences from past assignments. These discussions highlighted practical challenges, critical match incidents, and effective strategies adopted during competitions.

Chetan Kulkarni, Head of Football Operations Competitions & Football Events, praised SAFF for organizing the initiative. “It is wonderful to see SAFF conducting such seminars and workshops for Match Commissioners across the region. This conference provides an excellent platform for officials to come together, share experiences from different competitions, and learn from real match situations encountered by fellow Match Commissioners,” he said, adding that such efforts help strengthen professional knowledge, improve coordination among officials, and significantly elevate the standards of football competition management in South Asia.

Purushottam Kattel, General Secretary of SAFF, expressed his gratitude to the Goa Football Federation, the All India Football Federation, and the AFC for their valuable contributions in making the event a success. He emphasized the importance of such courses in ensuring that match commissioners from the South Asian region remain on par with their global counterparts. He also commended the match commissioners for their vital role in enhancing the standards of operations in both South Asian and Asian football.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to apply the learnings in future assignments, contributing to the continued development and professionalism of football competition management across South Asia.