Maldives submits bid to host AFC Challenge Cup

Oct 13, 2012 - 01:08:00 | Ameen Faisal
Maldives playing in this year's AFC Challenge Cup.

Male’, MALDIVES – Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has formally handed in its bid to the Asian Football Confederation to host the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. In an interview to maldivesoccer.com, President of Football Association of Maldives Mr. Ali Azim, confirmed the submission of bid to host AFC Challenge Cup 2014.

“We have nominated Maldives to host AFC Challenge Cup 2014. Host nomination form has been sent to AFC today”.

“After the last competition committee meeting for President Cup and AFC Challenge Cup, they have decided to give an automatic qualification spot for the host country. So that’s why the bidding process has begun so early”

Maldives has also applied to host the qualification matches of the tournament.

This is the second time Maldives bid for the prestigious tournament. Maldives first bid for the AFC Challenge Cup, which was held earlier this year, but after inspections from an AFC technical team the tournament was awarded to Nepal for hosting.

According to confirm reports, AFC executive committee said after awarding it to Nepal that Maldives will be given preference next time.

The qualification for AFC Challenge Cup 2014 will commence next year with The Northern Mariana Islands will make its first ever debut in the AFC Challenge Cup. The Northern Mariana Islands is one of 20 nations confirmed to be participating member associations who had expressed their interest to take part. Participants apart from Maldives are Afghanistan, Brunei DS, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Guam, India, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

India has also bid for the next edition of AFC Challenge Cup.

The AFC Challenge Cup is the pathway for the champions to gain a qualification to the top continental championship, the AFC Asian Cup.

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Imma on Oct 14
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Some reports actually say that the AFC inspection team recommended Maldives to host the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, but the decision was overturned by the influence of Ganesh Thapa and it was awarded to his country Nepal instead. I would love it if we get the chance to host it this time, because we have never hosted an 8-team tournament before. Also, it will pave the way for us to host future tournaments and gain better trust of AFC. Bigger Asian nations may also be more willing to come and play friendly matches here.

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