India to host SAFF Championship 2023 in June

Eight-time champions India are set to host the upcoming edition of the South Asian Football Federation Championship, SAFF general secretary Anwarul Haque Helal confirmed after a meeting of the executive committee on Tuesday.

Nepal was the only nation to have applied to host the 2023 edition of the tournament but Sports Partner International- a Dubai-based marketing company- who bought the marketing and commercial rights to the tournament till 2029 had a condition which insisted that the tournament take place in India. 

Two-time champions Nepal, who hosted the tournament twice in 1997 and 2013, hence were removed as hosts.

"We have approved the tender of Sports Partner International for the upcoming four editions, including the 2029 edition and the first tournament in 2023 will take place in India which is in line with the marketing company's condition," Helal told The Daily Star after the organisation's online meeting where all countries except the Maldives and suspended Sri Lanka attended on Tuesday.

Helal also informed that the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) would decide the venues, and the dates for the tournament and would finalise them by March 10.

The previous edition of the tournament was held in Maldives in 2021 for the very first time.