India has requested the South Asian Football Federation to postpone its flagship SAFF Championship by a few months in view of the the Indian Super League (ISL).
The 12th edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) tournament which also features Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was to kick off in Bangladesh on Christmas Day.
According to IANS, following the request by India, the defending champions and the most successful team of the biennial tournament, the organisers are considering pushing the tournament to May.
“India is saying that because of the Under-17 World Cup, the ISL is starting late. So, the ISL will end late and not in December. Then they said there can be a merger (of competing ISL and I-League) and thus the number of teams can increase,” SAFF General Secretary Anwarul Huq told IANS.
“It (SAFF Cup) was supposed to start on December 25 and end on January 5 or 6. India wants it to be shifted to May. They said because of the World Cup their scheduling has been delayed,” he added.
“I got the letter a few days ago from Kushal Das (All India Footall Federation’s General Secretary). Let me talk to the sponsors now whether they will agree or not,” Anwarul said.
India is also hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup from October 6-28.
