Kazi Salahuddin re-elected as SAFF President for fifth term

Kazi Salahuddin has been re-elected as the President of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The former president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) was elected unopposed for a fifth consecutive term today in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Last year, at a special general meeting of SAFF in Colombo, the former legendary footballer, who had served as BFF president for four consecutive terms, ensured his retention of the presidency by bringing a special amendment to the constitution.

Previously, the rule stipulated that no individual over the age of 70 could hold a position. With the abolishment of this rule, the path was opened for him to remain president for a fifth term. Subsequently, he submitted his nomination for the presidency with the support of Bhutan and Nepal. In his previous four terms, he had been elected president with the support of his home country, Bangladesh, but this time he did not seek Bangladesh's support. Following the events after August 5, 2024, Salahuddin had lost his position in BFF, and supporting him had become an awkward proposition for the current BFF officials. To avoid that discomfort, Salahuddin did not involve Tabith Awal and others.

Since no one else submitted a nomination for the post, his election was only a matter of time. After the official formalities of the election in Thimphu today, he was declared elected. He will remain in the top post of SAFF for another four years. He was first elected president in 2009.

BFF Vice-President Sabbir Ahmed Aref has been elected as an Executive Member of SAFF.

Meanwhile, the draw ceremony for the SAFF Championship, scheduled to be held in Dhaka in November, is set to take place this afternoon in Thimphu.