SAFF Championship needs to be competitive and meaningful
The participation of Kuwait and Lebanon in the upcoming 14th edition of the South Asian Federation Football Championship in Bengaluru,India from June 21 to July 3 is welcome news. The decision made by the South Asian Federation Football(SAFF) Championship committee to invite the two countries to the tournament is laudable and a step in the right direction. It is first and foremost important for Kuwait and Lebanon to take the SAFF Championship seriously and send their first national teams. Only then can their presence become meaningful and relevant and pave the way for the tournament to become competitive, compelling, exciting and interesting. The SAFF Championship,the premier regional tourney,has been a low key affair in terms of quality,the level of play,competitiveness and attendance. The evolution and growth of the event has left much to be desired over the years, proving to be just another av...