Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma Inaugurates 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup in Shillong

– Mr. Donald Philips Wahlang IAS, Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya; Lt. Gen R.C Srikanth VSM, Chief of Army Staff, Eastern Command; Air Marshal SP Dharkar, PVSM AVSM, AOC – in- Chief, Eastern Air Command; Mr. Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya; Lt. Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM AVSM SM, GOC-in-Chief, Eastern Command; Mr. Prestone Tynsong, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya; Mr. Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya. 

 Khel Today Bureau

Shillong: The 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup was inaugurated in Shillong by the Chief Guest, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, with a grand opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marking the first time that Shillong is hosting one of Asia’s oldest football tournaments. The ceremonial kick-off  was conducted by the Chief Guest in the august presence of Shri Prestone Tynsong, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Shakliar Warjri, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Govt of  Meghalaya, Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organizing Committee, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, PVSM, AVSM, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command, Lt Gen RC Srikanth, VSM, COS, Eastern Command and Chairman, Durand Cup Organizing Committee, Lt Gen Sanjay Malik, GOC, 101 Area and other eminent civil & Military dignitaries.

The opening ceremony began with the performance by the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project performance , followed by a captivating performance by Eddie Lyngdoh, a renowned local singer, and the Emphirical Tribe band, which set an energetic tone for the evening. A Pipe & Jazz Band then added a touch of grandeur to the event, adding to the joyous atmosphere.

After the band show, there was a performance by Bhangra & Gatka Artists, followed by a daredevil Motorcycle display. Highlighting the cultural richness of Meghalaya, the Children’s Choir performed a heartfelt song, leading into a dance performance on the Assam Regiment song “Badloo Ram ka Badan”. The grand opening ceremony was concluded by a Musical Ensemble by more than 800 schoolchildren of multiple schools across Shillong.

Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, GOC-in-C of the Eastern Command stated, “The Durand Cup has been a beacon of bringing together diverse communities and fostering a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Hosting this prestigious tournament in Shillong for the first time is a significant milestone and underscores our commitment to promoting football in the northeastern region. The vibrant culture and enthusiastic support of the people of Meghalaya make this event truly special. We are proud to provide a platform for young, aspiring footballers to display their skills and to inspire the next generation of athletes. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Meghalaya, our sponsors, and all those involved in making this event a grand success.”

Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, expressed his excitement, stating, “Meghalaya has a rich football culture, and hosting the Durand Cup in Shillong for the first time is a monumental achievement and a testament to our love for the game. This tournament provides a unique platform for our young athletes to showcase their talents on a national stage, and it reaffirms our commitment to fostering sportsmanship and unity. The excitement and enthusiasm displayed by our people today are overwhelming, and I am confident that this event will inspire future generations to pursue excellence in sports. We are honoured to be a part of this historic event and look forward to witnessing some exceptional football in the days to come.”

In a closely contested match, Shillong Lajong FC emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, setting the tone for an exciting competition ahead in Group F.

During halftime, the crowd enjoyed performances by Gracyl & Dapelai, Lamphang & Choir and Cynda, ensuring the excitement continued. The halftime show added a memorable touch to the event, highlighting the vibrant culture and talent of Meghalaya. The showstopper was kicking of the signed football by legendry Meghalayan footballer Mr Airborlang Khonjee

The Durand Cup features 24 teams, including a service team from Nepal, competing in 43 matches across four host cities: Kokrajhar, Shillong, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata. The grand finale will be held at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on August 31st.

All the matches of the 133^rd edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform.

ABOUT DURAND CUP

A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Organised by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.

The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888 and then the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held till 2016. In 2019, the tournament came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to the eastern part of the country, with Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters, being the home base. What makes the Durand Cup even more unique is that the winners get three trophies, two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).

As we embark on this exciting journey over the coming weeks, let us celebrate the beautiful game of football, honour the traditions of the Durand Cup, and look forward to witnessing moments of brilliance that will be etched in our memories forever.