Pakistan has confirmed its participation within the South Asian Football Federation Championships in Bengaluru in June-July and the AIFF doesn’t see any drawback with the gamers of the neighbouring nation travelling to India.
The worldwide match may even see participation of Lebanon and Kuwait because the SAFF government committee in March determined to function groups from exterior the south Asian area with a view to make the championship extra aggressive.
“We don’t see any problem in the coming of players from Pakistan to India to participate in the SAFF Championship,” All Indian Football Federation secretary common Shaji Prabhakaran advised PTI.
He was requested if there might be any drawback on the problem of granting visas to the Pakistani gamers in view of the political rigidity between the 2 nations.
“I think the Indian bridge team recently took part in a regional tournament in Pakistan and so we don’t expect any issue on their (Pakistan’s) participation,” he added.
The eight-team match will likely be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4.
Besides host India, Lebanon, Kuwait and Pakistan, the opposite 4 collaborating nations are Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives. Sri Lanka shouldn’t be participating as it’s serving suspension from world governing physique FIFA, whereas Afghanistan has left SAFF to affix Central Asian Football Federation.
Pakistan did not function in two tournaments out of the 13 editions held to this point since 1993.
The Pakistan Football Federation couldn’t ship its crew within the 2015 version held in India on account of inner points. The nation missed the 2021 version because it was serving suspension from FIFA. The suspension was lifted final yr.
Prabhakaran additionally stated that every one the collaborating nations, together with Kuwait and Lebanon, will ship their finest nationwide groups.
“Yes, Lebanon and Kuwait, as well as all other participating countries, will send their first national teams,” stated Prabhakaran who not too long ago turned a member of Asian Football Confederation government committee as a consultant of the SAFF.
India has received the regional match a report eight occasions. Defending champion Maldives has received the title twice whereas Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lifted the trophy as soon as every.
India will likely be internet hosting the match for the fourth time. The draw of the match will likely be held right here on Wednesday.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com