Grand unveiling of 133rd Durand Cup Trophies takes place in city
Shillong, July 18: The magnificent trophies of the 133rd Durand Cup were proudly displayed at a grand ceremony in Shillong, marking a historic moment for the Meghalayan capital.
The event, held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in Secretariat Hills, saw the presence of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, who lauded the efforts of the Durand Cup Organizing Committee for bringing this prestigious football tournament to the state for the first time. The arrival of the trophies is set to put Shillong on the national football map, with plans for the trophies to tour the city and surrounding districts.
The three trophies commenced their nationwide tour on July 10, flagged off by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, from the national capital.
The local excitement is palpable as the city prepares to host Group F matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This group includes local favorites Shillong Lajong FC, Indian Super League teams FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Club. The first match, scheduled for August 2, will feature Shillong Lajong FC against Tribhuvan Army FC, kicking off at 4 PM IST. All Durand Cup matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and available for live streaming on the SonyLiv OTT platform.
A total of 24 teams, including three services teams from India and two from Nepal and Bangladesh, will compete across 43 matches in four host cities: Kokrajhar, Shillong, Jamshedpur (both making their debut as host cities), and Kolkata. The grand final will be held on August 31 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.
The Durand Cup, a symbol of India’s rich football history and culture, is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournament. Organized by the Indian Army on behalf of the three services, the Durand Cup has long been a breeding ground for India’s finest footballing talent.
The inaugural edition took place in Shimla in 1888 before moving to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held until 2016. In 2019, the tournament was taken over by the Eastern Command and moved to Kolkata, the heart of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters.
What makes the Durand Cup unique is that the winners receive three trophies: the rotating Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup for permanent keep.
The trophy unveiling event was graced by several dignitaries, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Air Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Air Command, Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik, General Officer Commanding 101 Area, Major General Rajesh A Moghe, VSM Vice Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, along with numerous senior military and civil officials.
As Shillong embraces this historic occasion, the city’s football fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches ahead, celebrating the rich heritage and future potential of Indian football.
The unveiling of the 133rd Durand Cup trophies in Shillong not only marks a significant milestone for the city but also celebrates the enduring legacy of Indian football. As the tournament kicks off, it promises to bring together diverse talents and foster a spirit of sportsmanship and unity. With the historic city of Shillong making its debut as a host, this edition of the Durand Cup is set to be a memorable chapter in the annals of Indian football.
