New Delhi: The Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, along with Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Air Staff, and Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF), inaugurated the “Trophy Tour” of the 132nd edition of the prestigious Durand Cup. The ceremony took place at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantt on Friday, marking the beginning of the tour for India’s oldest football tournament.
The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest and the world’s oldest football tournament, attracts top Indian football clubs from across the country. Organised by the Indian Armed Forces, the Durand Cup has served as a breeding ground for India’s best football talent for over a century. The tournament’s inaugural edition was held in Shimla in 1888, originally as an Army Cup exclusively for British Indian Army troops. However, it soon opened up to civilian teams as well, becoming a platform for showcasing football skills and fostering sportsmanship among players.
During the flag-off ceremony, it was highlighted that the Durand Cup is a unique tournament where the winning team is awarded three trophies. These include the prestigious Durand Cup, a rolling trophy and the original prize; the Shimla Trophy, also a rolling trophy initially presented by the residents of Shimla in 1904; and the President’s Cup, a permanent keepsake first presented by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, in 1956.
Over the next month, the three trophies will embark on a Trophy Tour, travelling across the country and making appearances in major cities such as Shimla, Udhampur, Jaipur, and Mumbai. This tour aims to promote the spirit of the Durand Cup and generate excitement among football enthusiasts and sports lovers.
The upcoming 132nd edition of the Durand Cup, scheduled to take place in Kolkata from August 3 to September 3, promises to be a grand affair. This edition will witness the participation of 24 teams, including clubs from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. It is worth noting that foreign teams are making a comeback to the tournament after a hiatus of 27 years, adding an international flavour and enhancing the competitiveness of the event.
The Durand Cup, conducted by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), holds a special place in the hearts of football enthusiasts. It symbolises excellence, sportsmanship, and the spirit of competition in the field of sports. As the tournament approaches, fans eagerly await the thrilling matches and the display of exceptional football skills by the participating teams.
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