About SAFF

From the Grassroots to Glory: The SAFF Journey

Driving regional football growth with shared purpose

Where South Asia Comes Together to Celebrate, Compete, and Grow the Beautiful Game

From its early days under P. P. Lakshman, SAFF has proved the true meaning of its motto "Unity in Strength." As the tournaments have shown, football can become a force that brings nations together, turning rivalries into respect and borders into bonds.
Ganesh Thapa succeeded P.P Lakshman and served as SAFF President from 2001 to 2009, further shaping the foundation of regional cooperation through football. Currently serving as SAFF President, Kazi Md. Salahuddin continues to drive the federation’s growth and regional impact since 2009.
Its flagship tournament, the SAFF Championship, brings together the men’s national teams of all Member Associations and traces its roots back to 1993, when the inaugural edition was held in Lahore as the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Gold Cup.
Our Commitments

Advancing football through integrity, inclusivity, development, and shared purpose.

Our commitment is to realize SAFF’s commitments below and achieve the best results by being competent with the highest organizational values and upholding governance, transparency, and accountability up to the mark.

Improve, develop and promote football in the region. Ensure fair play and its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values. Introduce and implement youth and development programmes for all stakeholders in our Member Associations through projects and workshops. Protect the best interests of our Member Associations and the game of football.

Foster friendly relationships between Member Associations, FIFA, AFC and other Regional Associations across Asia.

Organise and manage football competitions of all types and categories in the region to ensure football is available and resourced to everyone in the region regardless of gender or age. Promote the development of women’s football and the full participation of women at all levels in the region, including in governance and technical roles.

Promote integrity, ethics and fair play with a view to preventing all methods or practices, relating to corruption, doping or match manipulation, which might jeopardise the integrity of matches, competitions, players, officials and Member Associations or give rise to the abuse of football, including instituting strong measures and campaigns against bribery, corruption, drugs and racism in Football in the Region

Implement to draw up regulations and provisions governing the game of football and all related matters and ensure their enforcement, at all times in accordance with the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA and the AFC.

SAFF Executive Committee

The SAFF Executive Committee guides the federation’s vision, governance, and regional unity to advance football across South Asia.
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Kazi Md. Salahuddin

President, SAFF
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Mr. Sundar Narshing Joshi

Vice President, SAFF
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Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran

SAFF Executive Committee Member representing AFC
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Mr. Ali Umar

SAFF Executive Member

SAFF Secretariat

The SAFF Secretariat serves as the administrative backbone, ensuring smooth coordination and execution of all federation activities.
Purushottam Kattel
General Secretary
Tanjim Ahmed Khan
Manager Legal
Syed Asif Hussain
Competition Manager
Ayush Khadka
Head of media & Communication
Rubaiyat Ahsan
Head of Finance
Subha Rahman
Assistant Manager - HR & Planning
Fatimatuz Jahara Esha
Safeguarding Officer
Jigme Gyletshen
International Relations Manager

SAFF Standing Committees

SAFF Executive Committee guides the federation’s vision, governance, and regional unity to advance football across South Asia.

SAFF Development Committee

Mr. Kazi Md. Salahuddin
Chairperson  | Bangladesh
Mr. Malojiraje Shahu Chhatrapati
Deputy Chairperson | India
Mr. Hishey Tshering
Member | Bhutan
Rubaiyat Ahsan
Head of Finance
Mr. Hussain Jawaz
Member | Maldives
Mr. Shree Krishna Karki
Member | Nepal

SAFF Competitions Committee

Mr. Sundar Narshing Joshi
Chairperson | Nepal
Mr. Md. Amer Khan
Deputy Chairperson | Bangladesh
Mr. Jigme Tshewang
Member | Bhutan
Mr. Caitano Jose Fernandes
Member | India
Mr. Mufaviz Hashim
Member | Maldives

SAFF Marketing and Communications Committee

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran
Chairperson
Mr. Pema Dorji
Deputy Chairperson 
Mr. Md. Mahi Uddin Ahmed (Saleem)
Member
Mr. Sushil Subedi
Member

SAFF Finance Committee

Mr. Ugyen Wangchhuk
Chairperson
Mr. Kipa Ajay
Deputy Chairperson
Mr. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury
Member
Mr. Mohamed Ageel
Member
Mr. Bijaya Kumar Gupta
Member

SAFF Independent Committees

The Independent Committee provides objective oversight to protect the federation’s credibility and fairness.

Disciplinary and Ethics Committee 

Mr. Gursimran Brar
Chairperson | India
Mr. Madhu Sudhan Upadhyay
Deputy Chairperson | Nepal
Mr. Mesbah Uddin
Member | Bangladesh
Mr. Namgay Dorji
Member | Bhutan
Mr. Muhuthaz Muhusin
Member | Maldives
Mr. Chamath Jayasekara
Member | Sri Lanka

Appeal Committee

Mr. S. Maharoof
Chairperson | Sri Lanka
Mr. Ismail Zumayl Rasheed
Deputy Chairperson | Maldives
Mr. Anwar Faruque
Member | Bangladesh
Mr. Phuntsho Gyaltshen Dorji
Member | Bhutan
Ms. Kumudavalli Seetharaman
Member | India
Mr. Nava Raj Thapaliya
Member | Nepal

Electoral Committee

Mr. Gursimran Brar
Chairperson | India
Mr. Phuntsho Gyaltshen Dorji
Deputy Chairperson |Bhutan
Mr. Mesbah Uddin
Member | Bangladesh
Mr. Madhu Sudhan Upadhyay
Member | Nepal
Mr. S. Maharoof
Member | Sri Lanka