Shillong: The 133rd Durand Cup began in Shillong on Friday, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurating the event at the revamped Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This is the first time Shillong is hosting the historic football tournament, which is the oldest in Asia.
The opening ceremony, held under rainy conditions, included a variety of performances. Highlights featured Bhangra and Gatka by the 2nd and 13th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, a Motorcycle Show by the Corps of Military Police, and a musical performance involving over 800 local school children. The planned Air Show was canceled due to the weather.
Distinguished guests included Air Marshal S P Dharkar and Lt. General Ram Chander Tiwari. Chief Minister Sangma met with players and formally launched the Group F matches, which will include Shillong Lajong FC against Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Team.
Group F also features ISL teams FC Goa and Hyderabad FC. The tournament will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and can be streamed on SonyLiv. The Durand Cup, managed by the Indian Army, has been a key stage for India’s football talent for many years.
Good to see Meghalaya, in my life Durand cup in Manipur is best with overcrowding
Q. What is Durand Cup?
A. The Durand Cup is an annual domestic football competition in India. It is one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, having been first held in 1888. The tournament is named after Sir Mortimer Durand, who was the Foreign Secretary in charge of India at that time. Historically, it was organized by the Indian Armed Forces and held in New Delhi, but in recent years, the tournament has seen matches being played in different locations across India, including Kolkata.
The Durand Cup has featured various teams, including clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), the I-League, and teams from the armed forces. It holds a significant place in Indian football history and continues to be a prestigious event in the Indian football calendar.
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I hope Players from Manipur will cooperate properly and win the trophy.