SAFF returns to Dhaka amid concerns over poor preparations

 
The SAFF Championship returns to Dhaka after eight years on Thursday, but the region's premier football tournament is facing an underwhelming build-up, with poor publicity, inadequate venue preparations and apparent coordination gaps between the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) raising questions over the hosts' readiness.

The National Stadium and its surroundings, on Wenesday, offered little indication of an impending international tournament within 24 hours. Untidy premises, indiscriminate parking and unrestricted vehicular movement through the stadium compound painted a picture at odds with the occasion.

The lack of promotional activity has also been conspicuous. Unlike previous editions hosted in Dhaka, there has been little visible effort to build anticipation or bring the tournament to the public's attention. BFF provides logistical support, while SAFF carries the primary responsibility for organising the competition. Yet the apparent disconnect between the two bodies has left important operational and communication issues unresolved.

The 15th edition will feature six teams, with Nepal excluded following FIFA's suspension of its football association. Defending champions India have also opted for an under-23 squad, further diminishing the prospect of full-strength regional rivalries.

Founded in Lahore in 1993 as the SAARC Gold Cup, the competition has been dominated by India, who have won nine titles. The Maldives have two, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have one apiece.

Bangladesh's only triumph came on home soil in 2003. They reached the semi-finals in 2023 but lost 1-0 to Kuwait, who were subsequently beaten by India in the final on penalties.

The Tk1,000 minimum ticket price has added to supporters' concerns, with affordability and limited public engagement threatening attendance. For an event once capable of stirring the region's football passions, the challenge is now to make the spectacle match its billing.