Sri Lanka to host SAFF Championship

FFSL President Jaswar Umar (right) at the SAFF Executive Committee Meeting in Nepal  

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka has been granted the hosting rights for the 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 5 in Colombo.
This landmark decision was made by the SAFF Member countries following a formal request from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL)
The SAFF 15th Edition match-schedule will be held on April 4 in Colombo under the patronage of Asian Football Confederation President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, FFSL President Jaswar Umar told the Daily Mirror yesterday.  
All matches are set to be worked off at the Racecourse Grounds in Reid Avenue or at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The tournament will feature seven South Asian nations, India (defending champions and the most successful team in SAFF history), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
This announcement comes as a historic moment for Sri Lankan football, as the nation last hosted the SAFF Championship in 2008, co-hosting the event alongside the Maldives.
After a long wait of 17 years, Sri Lanka once again could welcome the region’s top footballing nations for this prestigious tournament.
Sri Lanka’s football history includes a memorable triumph in the 1995 SAFF Championship, which was also held in Colombo. That victory remains the country’s only SAFF title todate.
Hosting the tournament in 2025 gives Sri Lanka a golden opportunity to reclaim the championship after 30 years and reignite national pride in football.