Durand Cup Kick Off Across 5 States
The 129th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, has officially kicked off with a historic first – the event will be hosted across five states in India, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur. The tournament, organized by the Indian Army, aims to promote national unity and showcase the talent of young footballers from across the country.
The Durand Cup, which has a rich history dating back to 1888, is a prestigious football tournament that brings together teams from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, along with state and club teams. This year, the tournament has expanded its reach to five states, making it a truly pan-India event.
The tournament was flagged off by President Droupadi Murmu, who launched the Durand Cup trophies at a special ceremony held at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, West Bengal. The President emphasized the importance of sports in promoting national unity and building a strong and healthy society.
“The Durand Cup is a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together and promoting national unity,” said President Murmu. “I am thrilled to see that this year’s tournament is being hosted across five states, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of young footballers from across the country.”
The Durand Cup is not just a football tournament, but also an event that celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork. The tournament is open to teams from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and state and club teams from the participating states.
The teams will compete in a round-robin format, followed by a knockout stage, with the winner being crowned the champion of the 129th Durand Cup. The tournament will feature a total of 16 teams, including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force teams, as well as state teams from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur.
The participating teams include the Indian Army’s Assam Rifles, Gorkha Regiment, and Madras Regiment, as well as the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command teams. The Indian Air Force will be represented by its Eastern Air Command and Western Air Command teams.
The state teams from the participating states will include the West Bengal Police, Jharkhand Police, Assam Police, Meghalaya Police, and Manipur Police teams. Club teams from the participating states will also participate in the tournament, including the ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohun Bagan teams from West Bengal.
The Durand Cup is an important event in the Indian football calendar, and this year’s tournament is expected to be even more exciting with the addition of five states. The tournament will provide a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills and compete against the best teams in the country.
The Indian Army has been organizing the Durand Cup since 1888, and the tournament has a rich history of promoting national unity and showcasing the talent of young footballers. The tournament has been won by several teams over the years, including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force teams, as well as state and club teams from across the country.
The Durand Cup is a testament to the power of sports in promoting national unity and building a strong and healthy society. The tournament is an exciting event that brings together teams and fans from across the country, and this year’s edition is expected to be even more exciting with the addition of five states.
