Shillong, July 9: The trophy road show for the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup 2025 kicked off on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiling the prestigious trophy at a ceremony held at the State Convention Centre.
Meghalaya has once again been given the opportunity to host eight matches of this historic tournament — one of the world’s oldest in football.
The road show not only marks the beginning of this celebrated sporting event but also reflects Meghalaya’s growing reputation as India’s next sports destination.
Following Shillong, the trophies will travel to Nongstoin and Tura, allowing the public to view Asia’s oldest football trophies up close before the tournament officially begins.
Expressing pride in Meghalaya’s role, the chief minister thanked the Indian Armed Forces for selecting Shillong as one of the venues. Eight matches, including a quarterfinal and a semifinal, will be held at the JN Sports Complex, Polo Ground.
“We had a very successful season last year. Shillong stood out as one of the best hosts in terms of atmosphere, arrangements, and fan engagement,” the chief minister said.
He further said, “This year will be no different. We have more local teams participating, which will make it even more exciting for fans in Meghalaya.”
Sangma also highlighted the state government’s significant investment in sports over the past seven years.
“Nearly 70% of our sports infrastructure has been developed during this period, with close to Rs 2,000 crore invested in various projects,” Sangma stated.
He also announced plans for the upcoming Mawkhanu Sports Complex, which is set to become the largest dedicated football stadium in the country.
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Shakliar Warjri, also reflected the state’s passion for football and recalled the overwhelming support shown during last year’s Durand Cup.
Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik, General Officer Commanding of the 101 Area, thanked the state government for its unwavering support in preparing the venue and managing logistics and administration.
He praised the government’s initiative to take the trophy road show to multiple locations, calling it an inspiration for the youth to embrace football.
The GOC of 101 Area also acknowledged Meghalaya’s generosity in hosting an invited foreign team free of charge, highlighting the state’s hospitality and international outlook.
The event concluded with a powerful performance of the Meghalaya Durand Cup team anthem, Here We Go.
The 2025 Durand Cup will run from July 23 to August 23, with matches hosted across five states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
