NEW DELHI, July 5: In a grand ceremony celebrating India’s rich sporting and military traditions, President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu flagged off the iconic trophies of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup from the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre on Saturday. The flag-off marked the ceremonial commencement of Asia’s oldest and India’s most prestigious football tournament.
This marks the second consecutive year that President Murmu, in her capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has performed the symbolic gesture—reaffirming the Durand Cup’s legacy as a confluence of sport, service, and national unity.
Top military leaders including General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force were present, along with Lt General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC). Arjuna Awardee and Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan also graced the occasion.
In her address, President Murmu described football as “a passion that binds millions,” emphasizing that the Durand Cup not only honors India’s footballing heritage but also offers a crucial platform for emerging talent. “Events like the Durand Cup foster the spirit of the game and contribute to nation-building by nurturing the next generation of players,” she said.
CDS General Anil Chauhan hailed the tournament as a “legacy of valour, discipline, and unity,” while Lt Gen RC Tiwari called the Durand Cup “a celebration of India’s unity in diversity and a testament to the Armed Forces’ dedication to youth and sports.”
Jhingan, recalling his early experiences with the tournament, lauded the Durand Cup as a “century-old tradition that continues to shape Indian football.”
The ceremony also saw addresses from Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar, GoC Delhi Area and Chairman of the Durand Football Tournament Society, who expressed best wishes to participating teams and reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to promoting football excellence in India.
The trio of historic trophies—the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup, and the Shimla Trophy—will now tour five host states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur, ahead of the tournament’s kick-off on July 23. The trophy tour is designed to ignite local enthusiasm and community participation across India’s footballing heartlands. The grand finale is scheduled for August 23, 2025.
Now in its 137th year, the Durand Cup remains a beacon of hope and a launchpad for aspiring footballers from across the country, carrying forward a tradition that celebrates sport, service, and sacrifice.
