Kazi Salahuddin re-elected SAFF president unopposed for fifth consecutive term

Despite stepping down from the presidency of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Kazi Salahuddin will remain at the helm of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) as he was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term, unopposed.

The SAFF Congress, held in Bhutan on Saturday (August 1), conducted the election for the executive committee. As he was the sole candidate for the presidency, no voting was required. Following the congress' formal approval, Salahuddin was declared president for the new term in accordance with the constitution.

According to Article 24.2 of the SAFF constitution, if the number of candidates for a post is equal to or less than the number of vacancies, the candidate is elected unopposed with the congress's approval. The 71-year-old Salahuddin thus secured his new term through this provision.

He has been serving as SAFF president since 2009. However, due to the age limit regulation, there was some uncertainty regarding his candidacy this time. Last year, a special general meeting of SAFF in Colombo, Sri Lanka, amended the constitution, scrapping the 70-year age limit. This allowed Salahuddin to contest the election again.

Bangladesh's representation in the new executive committee has increased. BFF Vice President Sabbir Ahmed Aref has been elected as a member of the SAFF executive committee for the first time. Additionally, Sri Lanka's Jaswar Umaru Labe was elected vice president, and the Maldives' Hussain Shafiu was elected as an executive committee member, both unopposed.