The much-anticipated visit of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa to Bangladesh has been postponed. He was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on November 23 for a four-day trip, but the AFC officially confirmed the delay last night.
AFC President Cancels Dhaka Trip
According to sources within the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), the AFC President, who is currently in Pakistan, has postponed his Bangladesh trip due to personal reasons. The BFF had already outlined a detailed schedule for his stay, which included several important programs and meetings.
One BFF official stated, “The AFC President’s sudden decision to postpone the trip was unexpected. We had several key discussions planned regarding football development in Bangladesh.”
Missed Opportunities and Unveiling Postponed
The first day of the AFC President’s visit was supposed to be spent at the SAFF office, followed by various BFF-organized programs. Notably, Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa was set to attend the National Football Championship final as the chief guest at the Shamsul Huda Football Academy in Jessore. The BFF also intended to discuss seeking the AFC’s additional support for the progress of Bangladeshi football during his visit.
Another highlight of the event was supposed to be the unveiling of a new SAFF logo in honor of the AFC President’s arrival. However, with his absence, the plan has been disrupted.
SAFF’s Next Step Still Undecided
SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Cattel addressed the situation, saying, “SAFF has not yet received any official notification regarding the postponement of the AFC President’s visit. If the visit does not take place, we will consult with the SAFF President about the next steps.”
He added that the logo unveiling may be postponed depending on the executive committee’s decision, stating, “If the committee feels it should be changed now, it will proceed. Otherwise, it can be done later.”
The AFC has yet to announce a new date for the president’s visit, leaving Bangladeshi football officials and fans waiting for the next development.
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