LAHORE, June 24: A three-member delegation of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) will visit People’s Sports Complex, Karachi and Lahore’s Punjab Stadium from June 27 to 30 to select one of them as the venue for the 6th edition of SAFF Championship to be held in December 2005.

The delegation comprises SAFF general secretary Siraj-ul-Islam Bachchu, Thomas Wheeler and Ian Mathie.

Siraj will reach Karachi on Saturday while the others on Sunday.

The delegation will first inspect the facilities at the People’s Stadium on June 27 and 28 and later of Punjab Stadium on June 29 and 30.

The delegation is also likely to visit Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad as another venue for the event. In all, eight teams will take part.

They are three-time champions India, defending champions Bangladesh, 1995 champions Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan and host Pakistan.

PFF director technical Lt.Col. Mujahid Ullah Khan Tareen will act as chief co-ordinator during the visit of the delegation.

In principle, the PFF had recommended People’s Stadium, Karachi as the venue on which renovation work had already started. “ To avoid any embarrassment due to non-completion of renovation work at Karachi, the federation has decided to consider Punjab Stadium as an alternate venue”, a PFF official told Dawn.

The official said that Peoples’ Stadium was still on the priority list, but it needs immediate attention of the Sindh Government, Sindh Football Association and City District Government, Karachi for its timely completion.

The delegation is likely to also inspect the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad as an alternate option.