SHILLONG, July 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said the state government will try its best to be able to host the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup in the state next year.
The state, which was named as one of the hosts of India’s oldest football tournament, does not have any stadium ready for the matches.
“We will make sure everything is done so that the state is able to host this prestigious football tournament next year,” Sangma said before unveiling the three magnificent Durand Cup trophies at a ceremony at the State Convention Centre.
Lauding General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 101 Area Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik for selecting Meghalaya as one of the host states, Sangma said large infrastructures are being created in many parts of the state to be able to host this kind of a tournament.
He said Meghalaya all along has had a very strong connection with soccer.
“And it is quite evident from the fact that many footballers playing at the national-level have come out of our state. We have performed exceptionally well at the national-level in different tournaments. Recently, the Meghalaya team made it to the finals of the Santosh Trophy,” he said.
The GOC of 101 Area complimented the sporting culture of the Northeast and highlighted that this year’s tournament is trailblazing for Meghalaya. He said this is the first time that Shillong Lajong Football Club will participate in the Durand Cup.
“It is in the fitness of things that the trophies are also being unveiled at Shillong,” he said.
Explaining the reason behind Shillong’s inability to host this year’s Durand Cup matches, Sports and Youth Affairs Department director, Isawanda Laloo said one of the major concerns was ground because the grass was not growing at the rate expected despite various efforts.
“We understand that the ground should be in an excellent condition. We took a joint decision that Shillong will not be hosting the matches of the tournament this year. We are optimistic that we will be in a better position next year to host the Durand Cup,” she told reporters.
Asked if there is a plan to host matches in other places, she said the focus at the moment is to prepare Shillong as one of the places to host the event.
“Infrastructure is being developed in other places. Maybe, we can think of them in the near future,” Laloo said.
The three trophies such as Durand Cup Trophy, Shimla Trophy (both rolling trophies) and the President’s Cup (for keeping permanently) were taken on a grand tour of the city. With overwhelming public presence and applause along the way, it was a scintillating evening for the football-loving residents of Shillong.
The programme culminated with a grand celebration at Khyndailad, with musical performances belted out by a local band and the Army’s Jazz band. The presence of players of Shillong Lajong Football Club was memorable for the crowd. The public support greatly enthused the players.
The 132nd edition of the tournament will have 24 teams, up from 20 the last time.
All 12 Indian Super League sides are taking part. The finals will be played at Kolkata. Service teams from Bangladesh and Nepal will also participate.
