Santosh Trophy final will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 4th for the first time since the establishment of India’s renowned football championship in 1941.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) have a strong partnership covering various aspects of the game, including youth development and women’s football, which was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year.
The King Fahd International Stadium, hosting the four matches, has a capacity of 68,000, providing an opportunity for football enthusiasts and the Indian expatriate population in Riyadh to witness history. The Santosh Trophy was once the pinnacle of Indian football, drawing the best players from all Indian states and government agencies such as Services and Railways. Bengal, the champions of the first edition, have dominated the tournament, winning 32 times, with Punjab (8) and Kerala (7) coming in second and third, respectively. The Trophy was the most coveted prize in Indian football for over fifty years, attracting hundreds of fans from all over the country and millions of TV viewers.
As part of its Vision 2047, the AIFF aims to promote Indian football globally beyond its natural boundaries, and hosting the final stages of the competition in Saudi Arabia is a step towards achieving that goal. The tournament offers players a chance to showcase their abilities to a wider audience and attract new fans. SAFF General Secretary Ibrahim Alkassim expressed his pleasure at welcoming all four teams to the Kingdom for the tournament’s first-ever overseas edition, acknowledging the competition’s value, importance to Indians worldwide, and its rich traditions.
Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, AIFF Secretary General, expressed his gratitude to SAFF for hosting the prestigious Hero Santosh Trophy in Riyadh, demonstrating the strong bond between the two federations, which has evolved into a symbiotic partnership for the advancement of the game. Dr. Prabhakaran expressed confidence that the event in Riyadh will leave a lasting impact on all participants and young footballers, who will cherish the experience for many years to come.
