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.
