Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The eight-nation first-ever SAFF Women’s Football Championship begins in the country’s southeastern tourist town of Cox’s Bazar on Sunday.
All the participating teams - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and hosts Bangladesh except Afghanistan – are already in Cox’s Bazar which boasts the world’s longest sea beach to adjust them with the local conditions ahead of the meet.
A nine-member partial Afghanistan team arrived in the capital Friday morning while the remaining 21 members of the team were due to reach Dhaka in the evening. The Afghan team was scheduled to leave the capital for Cox’s Bazar Friday night.
The preparations and the details of the tournament were disclosed at
a press conference at the BFF Bhaban this (Friday) afternoon.
Deputy Chairman of SAFF Women’s Football local organizing committee Sirajul Islam Bacchu and BFF general secretary Al Musabbir Saadi disclosed the preparation and details of the tournament at a press conference at BFF Bhaban in Dhaka on Friday. SAFF Women’s wing deputy chairman Mahfuza Akhter Kiron was also present.
Nepal will play Maldives in the inaugural match, which will kick-off at 2:45 pm after one and half hours of colorful opening ceremony beginning at 12 noon at the Cox’s Bazar Stadium.
FIFA Women’s wing chairman Woravi Makudi will inaugurate the 12-day meet as chief guest. FIFA Development Officer Manilal Fernando and other top officials of AFC and SAFF will be present on the occasion.
Tournament media partner ATN Bangla will telecast live the opening ceremony and the opening match on Sunday as well as India-Bhutan, Bangladesh-Sri Lanka matches on Monday, the two semifinals and the final.
Complete fixture: Dec 12 Opening Ceremony 12 noon Nepal vs Maldives 2:45 pm, Dec 13 India vs Bhutan 11:05 am Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2:45 pm, Dec 14 Pakistan vs Maldives 11:05 am Nepal vs Afghanistan 2:30 pm, Dec 15 India vs Sri Lanka 11:05 am Bangladesh vs Bhutan 2:30 pm, Dec 16 Pakistan vs Afghanistan 2:30 pm Dec 17 Sri Lanka vs Bhutan 11:05 am, Bangladesh vs India 2:30 pm, Dec 18 Afghanistan vs Maldives 11:05 am Nepal vs Pakistan 2:30 pm, Dec 20 1st semi-final 1:30 pm, Dec 21 2nd semi-final 1:30 pm and Dec 23 FINAL 1:30 pm
BBN/SSR/AD-10Dec10-10:35 pm (BST)