New Delhi, July 7: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday unveiled the three iconic Durand Cup trophies during the Trophy Unveiling and Flag Off Ceremony for the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, formally launching the build-up to Asia’s oldest football tournament.
The ceremony marks the beginning of the countdown to the tournament, which will be held from July 25 to August 23 across Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Imphal and Ranchi. The opening match will be played at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK).
Continuing a long-standing tradition, the President presided over the unveiling of the Durand Cup, President’s Cup and Shimla Trophy. The association between the Office of the President of India and the tournament dates back to the country’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who instituted the President’s Cup.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said the Durand Cup has played a significant role in nurturing football talent across the country and welcomed the participation of new teams, including Sri Lanka’s Defender FC, in this year’s competition.
“The Durand Cup has provided a platform to numerous football talents. I have been informed that this year, some new teams will also compete to become the winners of the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Shimla Trophy. I am pleased to know that a team from Sri Lanka is also participating in the tournament this year. I am confident that the inclusion of new teams will make this historic competition even more popular,” she said.
Highlighting the broader value of sport, the President said football has the power to unite people and promotes values such as equality, cooperation and resilience. She wished all participating teams success and encouraged them to compete with excellence and true sporting spirit.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, senior officials from the three armed forces, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, Indian National Team star Lallianzuala Chhangte, representatives of the 24 participating teams, sponsors and other dignitaries.
General N. S. Raja Subramani, who also serves as President of the Durand Football Tournament Society, said the tournament has grown in popularity over the years and expressed hope that this edition would inspire future generations while strengthening the spirit of unity through football. “The FIFA World Cup is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world. I hope that the Durand Cup, too, will bring together the spirit of the world’s most prestigious football competitions, as well as the sentiments of unity and sporting excellence, and will inspire the upcoming generations,” he said.
Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, Chairman of the Standing Working Committee of the Durand Football Tournament Society, described the tournament as a symbol of national integration and international friendship. He noted that 23 Indian teams, including the three Services and Central Armed Police Forces, will compete alongside Sri Lanka’s Defender FC, making the competition more diverse.
Lieutenant General V. M. Bhuvana Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, highlighted the region’s contribution to Indian football, saying the Eastern Command has supported infrastructure development, grassroots programmes and military-civilian partnerships that have helped nurture talent across eastern and northeastern India.
Indian national team captain Lallianzuala Chhangte also shared his personal connection with the competition, describing the Durand Cup as a turning point in his career. “The Durand Cup holds a very special place in my heart. It is not just one of the oldest and most prestigious football tournaments in the world; it is a tournament that changed my life. I have had the privilege of playing in it several times, and I can honestly say that without the opportunities it has given me, I may never have reached where I am today. It became a turning point in my career, allowing me to grow and believe that greater things were possible,” he said.
Following the ceremony, the Durand Cup Trophy Tour will travel to all five host cities. The trophies will be displayed in Shillong from July 11 to 14 before moving to Imphal (July 15), Guwahati (July 16-17), Ranchi (July 18-19) and finally Kolkata on July 21 ahead of the official pre-tournament press conference.
Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup, established in 1888, is the world’s third-oldest surviving football tournament.
The 135th edition will feature 24 teams, including Sri Lanka’s Defender FC, with 43 matches scheduled across six venues in five cities. Besides VYBK, matches will also be played at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
The tournament will begin with the historic Kolkata Derby between record 17-time champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and defending Indian Super League champions East Bengal FC on July 25. The final will be played at the VYBK on August 23.
