SAFF countdown begins in Dhaka with logo unveiling

Dhaka last hosted the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in 2018. After a long gap of eight years, the regional tournament returns to Bangladesh with the prestigious South Asian competition set to run from 4-17 November. As for the hosts, the men in red and green are eyeing to bring to an end a 23-year wait for the long-elusive trophy. In their bid to halt the drought, the likes of Jamal Bhuiyan and Hamza Choudhury will have a new coach in Thomas Dooley. And through the official logo unveiling, the countdown has started to South Asia’s “World Cup”.

Through a colourful ceremony held in the capital’s Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, the tournament’s title sponsor – smartphone brand “Tecno” – was also revealed alongside the logo. SAFF, Bangladesh Football Federation and Tecno officials alongside national team players, diplomats and media personnel graced the occasion with their presence, turning the programme into a get-together of sorts.

SAFF’s general secretary Purushottam Kattel explained the vision of the tournament, saying that this is the highest stage on which the SAFF member countries are brought together through their love of football. He pledged full cooperation to the local organising committee in order to ensure a unique and memorable event.

Speaking further about holding the SAFF tournament in Bangladesh, he stated, "We took the decision to bring the tournament back to Dhaka with great pride. The primary reason for this is the progress of football in Bangladesh. Secondly, it is the popularity of the sport, football has always enjoyed immense popularity in Bangladesh. However, considering the results achieved over the past few years, with the country's women's team, age-group teams, and senior national team all performing exceptionally well, and linking that success to the sport's popularity, we believe this is the best time to come to Bangladesh. Moreover, taking the weather and other factors into account, hosting the tournament in Dhaka in November would be ideal. That is why we decided to bring it to Bangladesh, and we look forward to a highly successful tournament here.”

However, the intensity of the on-field battle is currently resonating more with the footballers than the glitzy off-field ceremonies. Following the departure of Spanish tactician Javier Cabrera, this marks Bangladesh's first SAFF campaign under new American coach Dooley. The new coach's philosophy has also had a positive impact on the squad.

That confidence is evident in the words of national team forward Sheikh Morsalin: "The coach always wants to win, and that is what motivates us the most. We haven't won the SAFF Championship in 23 years, so we certainly don't want to let this huge opportunity on home soil slip away. However, without becoming overconfident, we simply want to play our natural game on the field."

Alongside the youngsters, the team's experienced campaigners also view the presence of the home crowd as a source of added strength. According to seasoned defender Topu Barman, while the SAFF Championship is always a challenging tournament, a packed stadium will not only heighten the team's sense of responsibility but also serve as a tremendous source of inspiration. Driven by the urge to prove his worth, Topu said, "The coach has already stated that I am a defender and my primary job is to prevent goals. However, during critical moments of the match, I will also try to score if needed to contribute to the team's victory."