By Samindra Kunti in Jeddah
May 14 – The political splits in the middle east between Qatar, Iran and their neighbours looks to be spilling over into football in a more formal basis with the creation at the weekend of the South West Asian Football Federation (SWAFF).
Founded on the sidelines of the King Cup final in Saudi Arabia, it appears to be a move to strengthen Saudi’s footballing influence in the region, along the lines of an already established political split.
The countries that will form SWAFF are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The new body will be headed by Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Adel bin Mohammad Ezzat.
“The South West Asian Association aims to develop the sport in Asia and hold many tournaments and events on an annual basis,” said SWAFF said in a news release in Arabic, ran by Saudi sports newspaper Arriyadiyah.
“The 10 federations announced the selection of Turki Al Al-Sheikh [head of Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority] as honorary president of the federation, which will launch a series of programs and competitions aimed at raising the level of Asian football,” said the news release.
“The Federation confirmed that it will work with all similar unions to be of good help to the continental union in the professional football industry.”
However, it appears the Arabic continent may be jumping the gun with their announcement with Indian FA general secretary Kushal Das saying that their participation would need approval. “There is a proposal (to form this regional federation) and we said we will examine subject to the approval by the AIFF Executive Committee. It will help in developing Indian football and also improve relationship with these countries,” said Das.
The countries most notable by their absence – reflecting what appears to be a political rather than football motivation for the new body – are Iran, Jordan and Qatar, all influential football nations in the region who arguably have all contributed more significantly to regional and global football than those in the new alliance. Other countries not in the new alliance include Nepal, Bhutan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria.
Saudi Arabia hosted a swathe of VIPs at the time of the announcement at one of the flagship events of their domestic league, the King Cup Final between giants Al-Ittihad and underdogs Al-Faisaly in Jeddah. Ahmad Ahmad, in his role as FIFA vice-president, Carlos Cordeiro and Decio de Maria, from the United 2026 bid, all watched from the royal box as Al-Ittihad ran out 3-1 winners in extra-time.
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