By IANS,
New Delhi: India is likely to host the 2011 edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup.
India were originaly supposed to host this year’s SAFF Cup in Goa but it was shifted to Bangladesh after All India Football Federation (AIFF) couldn’t assure visas for the Pakistan team due to the strained relationship between both the countries after the Mumbai attacks last November.
Four-time winners India last hosted the tournament in 1999 in Goa. SAFF sources told IANS Saturday that Nepal will be the stand-by venue if India fails.
“But the final decision on the host nation will be decided in the executive committee meeting to be held in February in Colombo,” the official said.
“World Sports Group (WSG), promoters of the tournament, and other sponsors also want the tournament to be held in India,” he said.
The executive committee of SAFF Cup also mooted the plan to host a youth tournament.
“The executive committee is planning to host some tournaments like youth competitions, a women’s and a club competition. The club tournament will be see the champion team of all the countries and will be held in every two years,” he said.