Bengaluru to host SAFF Championship in June

AIFF Media 

The SAFF Championship 2023 will be hosted in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from June 21 to July 3, 2023, All India Football Federation President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey announced in the city on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran was present on the occasion, along with AIFF Vice President and Karnataka State Football Association President Mr. NA Haris and Karnataka Olympic Association President Dr. K Govindaraj.

This will be the 14th edition of the tournament, and India will be hosting it for the fourth time. Over the years, the Blue Tigers have asserted their dominance in the SAFF Championship, winning it eight times; the Maldives are the closest to India, having won the title twice.

The 2023 SAFF Championship will be played from June 21 to July 3, with all member associations of the SAFF are expected to fight it out for the top prize.

The tournament will see the teams divided into two groups and play round-robin matches in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The date for the Draw will be announced later.

"It is an extremely happy occasion for me to announce to all of you that we would be hosting the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru in June/July this year," said Mr. Chaubey. "SAFF is a great opportunity for us to promote love and brotherhood between all the countries in the South Asian region, and I am sure that the players of each National Team will do everything in their power to give a great account of their countries.

"I would like to welcome all the visiting teams with open arms, as we promote brotherhood across borders. Football is one of the most powerful ways to spread the message of love between people, and it is a moment of pride for us to be able to host all of them," he said.

A former India International, Mr. Chaubey had won the SAFF Championship on two occasions with the Blue Tigers – 1999 in Goa, and 2005 in Karachi.

"I’ve myself won the SAFF Championship on two occasions, and I can tell you from a player’s perspective how special it is to lift that trophy, and get that medal," said Mr. Chaubey. "I am sure all of our players will be raring to go and play out there with big hearts."