Shillong ( Meghalaya), July 31 : The wait is finally over as Shillong for the first time will host the Durand Cup- Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Shillong will witness the first of seven matches of the 133 rd edition of the Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here from Friday.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of extremely heavy traffic congestion all schools that fall under Shillong Municipal area will remain closed on Friday to avoid any hardships to the students.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host Group F consisting of local side Shillong Lajong FC, Indian Super League sides FC Goa, Hyderabad FC and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Club.
The first match will be played between Shillong Lajong FC and Tribhuvan Army FC. The match is scheduled to start at 4pm, to be preceded by a spectacular inauguration ceremony beginning at 2pm. A number of thrilling military displays of the Indian Armed Forces and a cultural fiesta by children and singers are lined up to add to the festivities.
The three magnificent Trophies of the 133 rd Durand Cup reached Shillong and were proudly displayed at a grand ceremony at the U Soso Tham Auditorium on July 18 last in the presence of Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma.
The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888 and then the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held till 2016. In 2019, the tournament came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to the eastern part of the country, with Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters, being the home base. What makes the Durand Cup even more unique is that the winners get three trophies, two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).
