, Aug. 1 -- elected president of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) without a contest, keeping his grip on the region's football administration despite leaving the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) last year.

The election was held at SAFF's congress in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday. Salahuddin was the only candidate after receiving nominations from the football associations of Nepal and Bhutan.

Salahuddin, a former Bangladesh national team player, had served as BFF president for 16 years before stepping down after the political change in 2024.

But he has remained SAFF president since first taking the post in 2009, extending his tenure at the regional body to 17 years.

His path to another term was cleared after SAFF amended i...