Kazi Salahuddin is still leading South Asian Football Federation (SAF), the highest organization of football in South Asia, even though he has left the post of president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFFE). He was elected president for the fifth time unopposed at the SAF Congress held in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.
His re-election was formally announced at the Congress held on Saturday (August 1). Through this, the former star footballer confirmed another consecutive term as SAF president which started in 2009.
Kazi Salahuddin was elected as the president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFFE) in 2008. The following year he became SAFF president for the first time. Since then he has been elected as president in every election. This time he got the highest post of Saf for the fifth time.
Under SAAF's previous constitution, no person could serve more than two terms as president, and those over the age of 70 were not allowed to serve on the executive committee. However, these restrictions were removed by amending the constitution last year. Since then Saladin's re-election was considered almost certain.
Salahuddin did not take the support of Bangladesh Football Federation to be a candidate for the post of president in this election. Instead, he submitted his nomination with the support of the Nepal and Bhutan Football Federation. He was elected unopposed as there were no other contenders after the deadline for filing and withdrawing nominations.
Meanwhile, the congress also took important decisions about the football situation in Nepal. Currently, Nepal is unable to fully participate in SAFF activities due to FIFA sanctions. In this situation, the country has been given time till September to withdraw the ban.
SAFF said that if FIFA lifts the ban on Nepal within the stipulated time, then they will be able to participate in the upcoming SAFF tournament. Otherwise they will not be included in the competition.
It is known that if the ban of Nepal is lifted, they will play in the group of host Bangladesh. Because of this, South Asian football stakeholders will be watching FIFA's decision until September.
