THE INAUGURAL EDITION of the SAFF Club Championship may not take place in 2023.
The proposed tournament which pits the best South Asian clubs against each other is to be organized by the South Asian Football Federation, and feature teams from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives.
As per previous reports, the two clubs from India that were being considered were the two finalists of the ISL playoffs; which in 2021-22 season were Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters.
Had the competition taken place in 2023, it would have been the first professional international tournament for both clubs.
But it appears that SAFF have decided to further delay the launch of this competition. According to some sources in SAFF, the subcontinental championship may be launched in 2024 instead.
The competition will be held in a single venue country, with Bangladesh likely to host the first edition. Just like other SAFF competitions, future editions will be held in other countries depending on who submits bids to host.