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SAFF to Launch Inaugural Futsal Championship in January 2026

October 5, 2025

Press Release

5 October 2025 | Dhaka

In a landmark move to promote futsal across South Asia, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) is set to host its first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship for both men and women from January 13–26, 2026, in Thailand.

The championship will be accompanied by capacity-building courses for coaches and referees, aimed at strengthening the foundation of futsal in the region. Despite its global popularity, futsal remains largely underdeveloped in South Asia, and SAFF is committed to changing that.

“As members of FIFA, all national associations are expected to actively participate in futsal and beach soccer, alongside association football. Unfortunately, South Asia has lagged behind in these areas,” said SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel.

“We’ve also observed a significant shortage of officials involved in futsal compared to other regions. That’s why it’s crucial for us to initiate futsal development in our region. The Executive Committee has already approved the decision, and we’re grateful for the support from both FIFA and the AFC for this historic event.”

SAFF views this championship as a vital step toward nurturing futsal in South Asia. With the sport gaining popularity among youth in recent years, it is essential to harness its potential through structured competitions and training programs. This initiative aims to foster genuine interest and engagement among stakeholders.

Further details about the championship will be shared with stakeholders in due course.

More Announcement
October 5, 2025
SAFF to Launch Inaugural Futsal Championship in January 2026
September 27, 2025
India Clinches SAFF U-17 Championship Title

27 Sept. 2025 (Colombo)

The Indian U-17 men’s national football team emerged victorious at the 2025 SAFF U-17 Championship, defeating Bangladesh in a dramatic final held at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time, with India sealing the win 4-1 in a tense penalty shootout.

Match Highlights:

  • Early Breakthrough: India took the lead in the 3rd minute through Dallamuon Gangte, setting the tone for an aggressive start.
  • Bangladesh Response: MD Manik equalized in the 24th minute, showcasing Bangladesh’s resilience.
  • India Strikes Again: Azlaan Shah KH restored India’s lead in the 37th minute with a composed finish.
  • Stoppage-Time Drama: Bangladesh forced extra time with a last-gasp goal from Ihsan Habib Riduan in the 97th minute.
  • Penalty Shootout Heroics: India converted all four penalties with precision, while goalkeeper Manashjyoti Baruah made a crucial save to ensure victory.

Road to Glory:

  • Group Stage: Unbeaten run with dominant performances.
  • Semi-Final: A convincing 3-0 win over Nepal.
  • Final: A nerve-wracking but triumphant shootout against Bangladesh.

Coach’s Statement:

“This team showed incredible heart and maturity. Winning both the U-17 and U-19 SAFF titles this year is a testament to the strength of our youth development system,” said Bibiano Fernandes, Head Coach of the Indian U-17 team.

September 27, 2025
SAFF Hosts Marketing and Communications Committee Meeting

Press Release
26 September 2025 | Colombo 

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) convened its first-ever Marketing and Communications Committee meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Chaired by Committee Chairman Mr. Shaji Prabhakaran, the meeting focused on shaping the federation’s future marketing strategy, particularly for competitions whose media and marketing rights are managed by SAFF’s strategic partner, SportsFive.

A key agenda item was the federation’s visual identity. The committee explored ways to enhance SAFF’s brand presence and align its image with the evolving landscape of global football.

SAFF General Secretary Mr. Purushottam Kattel provided an overview of upcoming federation activities, including competitions and capacity-building initiatives. The committee discussed how these events could be leveraged to strengthen SAFF’s brand and expand its reach across the region.

This landmark meeting marks a significant step in SAFF’s commitment to elevating its profile and fostering deeper engagement with fans, partners, and stakeholders throughout South Asia.

September 22, 2025
SAFF official website revamped

22 Sept. 2025 (Dhaka)

Dear Readers/Visitors,

Greetings from the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)!

As you are navigating the SAFF website, you will notice that it has been revamped. We want this website in line with the global trend of storytelling through visually engaging content.

The goal of the SAFF’s refurbished official website is to establish a more modern and sophisticated presence and be in touch with you as well as all the current generation of passionate fans, players and all stakeholders.

As part of our commitment to good governance and timely communication, we have ensured that all federation’s activities — whether on the pitch or at the secretariat — are properly documented and showcased. Nothing goes unnoticed.
This newly launched website serves as a comprehensive archive of our past events and official documents, offering insight into the federation’s plans and ongoing initiatives.

We have also made a concerted effort to highlight the activities of our Member Associations through compelling stories, which now form an integral part of our content strategy. You can have access to the activities of our SAFF Member Associations by clicking the link of their respective official websites.

We kindly invite all our esteemed stakeholders to explore the website and share your valuable feedback and suggestions for future improvements. You are also a part of this transformative journey. Your feedback and suggestions can be sent to info@saffederation.org

We sincerely hope the website proves to be a useful resource for all our stakeholders.

Editor