Guwahati: In a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in Delhi, President of India, Draupadi Murmu, unveiled the coveted Durand Cup trophies and flagged off the Trophy Tour for the 133rd edition of the prestigious tournament.
The 133rd edition is set to begin in Kolkata on July 27, with Kokrajhar (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) also hosting many of the 43 games this year.
This historic occasion was marked by the President’s continued active participation, a tradition begun by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
In her remarks, President Murmu highlighted football’s global popularity and the increased excitement when professional players perform in front of thousands of fans. She extended her best wishes to all the players participating in the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff; General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff; Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
Lt. Gen. Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, and patron of the tournament, expressed his honor and pride in having the President unveil the trophies and flag off the trophy tour. He emphasized the responsibility to meet the high expectations and deliver a successful tournament.
Key dignitaries, including Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri and actor John Abraham, along with representatives from the host state governments of Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, attended the event. Officials from the All India Football Federation and top management from sponsors such as IndianOil, Coal India, State Bank of India, and Sony Sports Network were also present.
The Durand Cup, one of India’s oldest and most prestigious football tournaments, dates back to 1888. The 132nd edition saw Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) of Kolkata defeating East Bengal Football Club (EBFC) 1-0 in the final, with Dimitri Petratos scoring the winning goal.
The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup is set to begin in Kolkata on July 27, with Kokrajhar (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) also hosting many of the 43 games this year.
The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament, symbolises India’s rich football history and culture. Organized by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament has been a breeding ground for India’s best football talent.
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Inaugurated in Shimla in 1888, the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940 and was held there until 2016. In 2019, it came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to Kolkata.
The Durand Cup winners receive three trophies: two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).
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