Northeast Desk, 18th July: Shillong recently witnessed a grand ceremony at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in Secretariat Hills, marking the arrival and display of the three trophies of the 133rd Indian Oil Durand Cup. This event signifies the city’s inaugural hosting of the prestigious football tournament, a moment hailed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as a significant milestone putting Shillong on India’s football map.
The ceremony was graced by CM Conrad K. Sangma, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik, and other esteemed military and civil officials. The trophies, which embarked on a nationwide tour from New Delhi on July 10, will now tour Shillong and its surrounding districts, fostering enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.
Maj Gen Rajesh A Moghe, VSM, Vice Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and unveiled the match schedule. He extended best wishes to participating teams on behalf of Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron of the Organising Committee.
CM Conrad Sangma emphasized the state’s passion for football and invited all enthusiasts to witness high-quality matches featuring top teams. He highlighted the cooperation between the Indian Army and state government in ensuring successful logistical and infrastructural support for the event.
Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik commended the Indian Army’s commitment to spreading the Durand Cup’s influence in the region, underscoring Shillong’s readiness to host a spectacular tournament. He wished all teams and guests an enjoyable experience in Meghalaya.
The Durand Cup matches will kick off at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, featuring Group F matches including local favorites Shillong Lajong FC, Indian Super League teams FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Club. The tournament promises an exciting spectacle with all matches broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLiv OTT platform.
With 24 teams from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh participating in 43 matches across four host cities, including Shillong and Kokrajhar making their debut as hosts, the Durand Cup will culminate in the grand final at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 31st.
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