Shillong, July 11; Shillong welcomed the three iconic trophies of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup on Friday, as Meghalaya began its third consecutive year as a host venue for Asia’s oldest football tournament.
The trophy tour and flag-off ceremony was held at the State Convention Centre, attended by Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa, Air Marshal Devendra P Hirani, DGP Idashisha Nongrang, Maj Gen D.K. Singh and Sports Secretary Isawanda Laloo. The trophies will now travel to Jowai and Tura before the tournament kicks off.
Shylla said football is “part of our identity” in Meghalaya and thanked the Armed Forces and Durand Cup Organising Committee for their continued trust. He stated the state’s aspiration to host the Durand Cup final in the years ahead.
Highlighting the government’s push, he noted that over 35,000 athletes now take part in state sporting events annually and Meghalaya has hosted more than 14 national and international events since 2022. With ₹1800 crore earmarked for sports infrastructure and ₹844 crore allocated for sports this year, the government is building what it calls a long-term sports ecosystem. Key projects include the upcoming Mawkhanu Football Stadium, set to be India’s largest, and upgrades to JN Stadium Shillong.
Sports Secretary Isawanda Laloo said hosting the Durand Cup for the third year running reflects confidence in Meghalaya’s infrastructure and administration. She added that preparations are also underway for the 39th National Games in 2027, with focus on athlete development, coaching and governance.
Lt Gen Wadhwa said Shillong has become a key Durand Cup venue because of its football culture and fan support, and credited the state government’s investments for strengthening Meghalaya’s readiness to host big events.
This year’s Durand Cup, scheduled from July 25 to August 23 across five states, will feature three Meghalaya teams — Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh SS&CC and Langsning FC. Shillong will host eight matches at JN Stadium, including a quarterfinal and a semifinal.
