The Trophy tour of the 132nd edition of Durand Cup commenced from the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The tour was flagged off by the Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.
In a ceremony held at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantt on June 30, 2023, General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Air Staff, and Mr Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), officially launched the “Trophy Tour” for the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup, India’s oldest football tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Kolkata from August 3 to September 3, 2023.
The Trophy Tour
Over the next one month, the Trophy Tour will traverse the length and breadth of the country with appearances at some major cities like Shimla, Udhampur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Kokrajhar, Guwahati, and Shillong before reaching Kolkata for the mega event. The tour aims to build excitement and engage football enthusiasts across the nation, generating anticipation for the upcoming tournament.
About Durand Cup
The Durand Cup is not just any ordinary football tournament; it holds a special place in the history of Indian football. Considered the oldest football club tournament in Asia, the Durand Cup has a legacy that dates back to 1888. The first tournament was held in Shimla and initially catered to different regiments of the British army. It was later opened to civilians, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of football in India.
The tournament is organized by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). As a symbol of its historical significance, the winner of the Durand Cup is awarded three trophies: the Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup.
The Cup’s name pays homage to Mortimer Durand, the former foreign secretary of British India. Durand’s contribution to the tournament’s establishment and his support for football in the region is honored through the prestigious competition that bears his name.
Excitement and Expectations
As the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup approaches, anticipation among football enthusiasts is reaching new heights. The tournament provides a platform for both established and emerging football clubs to showcase their talent and compete for glory. The participation of renowned clubs from different parts of the country adds to the excitement, as fans eagerly await the clash of titans on the football field.
The 131st edition of the Durand Cup witnessed Bengaluru FC emerge as the champions, showcasing their prowess and skill. With each edition, the competition becomes more intense, pushing players and teams to strive for excellence.
