New Delhi, July 7: President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu unveiled the coveted Durand Cup trophies on Tuesday at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, officially flagging off the build-up to the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup.
The tournament will kick off on July 25 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Continuing a tradition linked to the highest office since Dr. Rajendra Prasad instituted the President’s Cup, Murmu graced Asia’s oldest football tournament for the second year in a row.
Addressing the gathering, the President said the Durand Cup has been a platform for countless football talents.
“The inclusion of new teams this year, including a team from Sri Lanka, will make this historic competition even more popular. Football brings people together. Sporting spirit teaches equality, cooperation and resilience,” she said. “I extend my best wishes to all teams. May you perform with excellence and enhance the prestige of the game.”
The ceremony was attended by General N S Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff and President of the Durand Football Tournament Society, along with the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, and other senior officers. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Indian team star Lallianzuala Chhangte were also present, along with representatives of all 24 participating teams.
General Raja Subramani said the Cup continues to grow in popularity. “I hope the Durand Cup reflects the spirit of the world’s biggest football competitions and inspires the next generation. We are grateful to the Hon’ble President for her encouragement.”
Lt Gen Rajesh Sethi, Chairman of the Standing Working Committee, noted that 23 Indian teams, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, CAPF and top clubs, will feature this year. “For the first time, Sri Lanka’s Defender FC is participating, reflecting friendship between our nations.”
Lt Gen V M Bhuvana Krishnan, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, said the East and Northeast have become a football hub. “Grassroots programmes and civil-military partnerships have brought the game to thousands of children.”
Chhangte, sharing his personal link with the tournament, said: “The Durand Cup changed my life. Without the opportunities it gave me, I may never have reached where I am today.”
The 135th edition will run from July 25 to August 23 across five cities — Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati. Ranchi will host Durand Cup matches for the first time in the tournament’s 138-year history.
24 teams, including one foreign side from Sri Lanka, will play 43 matches across six venues. The opener on July 25 will be the Kolkata Derby between 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and 16-time winners and current ISL champions East Bengal FC. The final will also be at VYBK on August 23.
The Trophy Tour begins next. The trophies will be on display in Shillong from July 11-14, Imphal on July 15, Guwahati on July 16-17, Ranchi on July 18-19, and will conclude in Kolkata on July 21 with the pre-tournament press conference.
Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, the Durand Cup, founded in 1888, is the world’s third-oldest football competition.
