KARACHI, Oct 30: Eight countries will participate in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup to be held in Pakistan next year.

According to a top SAFF official, Pakistan have been officially granted the hosting rights of the 2005 SAFF Cup though the dates of the tournament are yet to be finalized.

SAFF secretary Sirajul Islam Bachchu said that the tournament would most likely be organized in February but it could be scheduled for the second half of 2005.

"I have been talking to members of the regional federations for the last couple of days and it appears that either the tournament will be held in February or in the second half of next year," said Bachchu.

The SAFF official said he would convene a meeting of the federation officials in December in Kuala Lumpur to finalise the dates of the tournament.

"I have planned to call the meeting in Kuala Lumpur on December 7th, on the eve of the AFC awards function to announce dates of the competition," he said.

The SAFF secretary said that eight countries including Maldives would participate in the tournament. Although Maldives have been categorized by AFC in its Vision Asia programme as an ASEAN country, they are technically still a member of the SAFF.

Maldives lost to host Bangladesh on penalty shootout in the 2003 SAFF Cup final. Maldives are regarded among the more skilful sides among the eight South Asian teams.

In the ongoing 2006 World Cup qualifying matches, they stunned the mighty Korean Republic with a draw and later trounced Vietnam 3-0.

Other participating nations will be India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and hosts Pakistan.-PPI