Kazi Salahuddin has been re elected as president of the South Asian Football Federation. The former Bangladesh football star was elected without opposition at the SAFF Congress in Thimphu, Bhutan on Saturday.
Salahuddin left his role as Bangladesh Football Federation president in 2024. However, he has continued to lead SAFF.
He became BFF president in 2008. A year later, he was elected SAFF president. Since then, he has kept the position through every election.
SAFF previously had rules that limited the president to two terms and prevented anyone over the age of 70 from serving on the executive committee. Those rules were removed after changes to the constitution last year. That made Salahuddin’s return almost certain.
Candidates for the SAFF presidency need support from member associations. Salahuddin did not seek backing from the Bangladesh Football Federation because of the country’s political situation. Instead, he received support from the football associations of Nepal and Bhutan.
The nomination process ended about a month ago. With no rival candidate, his election was only a formality. Saturday’s Congress officially confirmed his new term.
Bangladesh Football Federation vice president Sabbir Ahmed Aref was also elected as a member of the SAFF Executive Committee.
SAFF will hold the tournament draw later on Saturday. Nepal are not part of the draw because they remain suspended by FIFA.
During the Congress, SAFF gave Nepal until September to resolve the issue. If FIFA lifts the suspension before then, Nepal will be allowed to take part in the tournament. If not, they will miss the competition.
If Nepal return in time, they will be placed in the same group as hosts Bangladesh.
