Football: Former FFSL chief Ranjith Rodrigo appointed acting President of SAFF

Ranjith Rodrigo, the former President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), was appointed the acting President of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to preside its Executive Committee meeting held at the Taj Hotel in Trivandrum, India last Saturday (2).

Rodrigo took charge of the meeting in the absence of SAFF President Kazi Salahuddin, due to health reasons.

“A very productive meeting was held with proposals from member associations focusing on the development of football within the South Asian region, with the support of the SAFF sponsor World Sport Group,” a press release issued by FFSL stated.

One of the key decisions taken at the SAFF Executive meeting was to grant US $ 25,000/- to all its Member Associations (MA) as the preparation subsidy inclusive of Host Member Associations (HMA). 

Among other decisions made on that day were: SAFF Standing Committees to be establish by 25 Feb 2016 with a vision of developing the sport in South Asian region. This initiative will begin with Comp Committee, Finance Committee and Referees Committee’s; Audited accounts of SAFF to be submitted by June 30, 2016; SAFF Women's Championship to be held in India during August and September 2016; SAFF Men's Championship 2017 was offered to Bangladesh to host; Inaugural SAFF Club Championship to be held in December 2016, with one club from six of the MAs and two clubs from HMA; Preparation subsidy for SAFF Men's U-16, U-19 and Women's Championship increased to US$ 10,000.00 from US$ 5,000.00 and SAFF proposal was made to WSG to increase the sponsorship to a substantial amount to support development programs within SAFF region and to be finalised before February 26, 2016. 

The next meeting of the SAFF Executive Committee will be held on February 25 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Rodrigo also graced the Awards Ceremony soon after the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015 final where India beat Afghanistan 2-1.