In a historic breakthrough for women’s leadership in South Asian football, Zimbiri of Bhutan has been elected to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Executive Committee, becoming the first woman ever to hold a seat at the decision-making table. The announcement was made at the SAFF Congress convened in Nepal’s capital, where delegates from all seven member associations gathered both in person and online to shape the future of the region’s game.
Representatives lauded Zimbiri’s election as a landmark achievement for gender equality in sports administration. The Bhutan Football Federation hailed her success as “a testament to the growing role of women in steering the direction of football in South Asia,” underscoring how her leadership could inspire more inclusive governance across the member nations.
Beyond breaking new ground in representation, the Congress tackled a suite of governance and competition matters. Delegates formally adopted a comprehensive safeguarding policy designed to protect young athletes from abuse and exploitation. They also ratified the financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year and gave the green light to the budget proposed for 2025, ensuring fiscal transparency and accountability remain at the heart of SAFF’s operations.
Looking ahead to regional tournaments, the SAFF body confirmed the host countries for its upcoming youth and women’s events. Sri Lanka will stage the U-17 Championship this October, while Nepal has been awarded the inaugural Women’s Club Championship in November. Bhutan, too, will host the U-17 Women’s Championship in September 2025, bringing international youth football back to the Himalayan kingdom for the first time. These appointments reflect SAFF’s commitment to expanding competitive opportunities for young players and women’s clubs throughout South Asia.
