President Droupadi Murmu flags off 134th Durand Cup trophies

Durand Cup a living symbol of footballing heritage, armed forces’ spirit: Prez

New Delhi, July 4: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the trophies of the 134th Durand Cup 2025 at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Friday.

This is the second consecutive year the President has performed this symbolic gesture, reaffirming the Durand Cup’s enduring significance as a unique confluence of sport, service and nationhood. The ceremony also continues a proud post-independence tradition of the Supreme Commander’s direct association with the Durand Cup.

The ceremony at the RBCC saw the presence of General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff and Lt General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organizing Committee (DCOC). Also gracing the occasion was Arjuna Award recipient and renowned Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan.

Speaking at the occasion, President Murmu acknowledged the Durand Cup as a living symbol of India’s footballing heritage and Armed Forces’ sporting commitment, adding that “football has a special place in the hearts of millions. It is not just a sport; it is a passion. The game of football is all about strategy, endurance and working together towards a common goal. Events like the Durand Cup not only foster the spirit of the game but also help develop the next generation of football players, providing them with a platform to grow. She appreciated the role of the Armed Forces in keeping alive and promoting the spirit of the Durand Cup.”

General Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff on the occasion said, “The Durand Cup is a legacy of valour, discipline, and unity that reflects the finest traditions of our Armed Forces and our nation. As we embark on another chapter of this historic competition, we are honoured by the presence of the Hon’ble President of India in flagging off this edition. This gesture reaffirms the enduring bond between sport, service, and the spirit of India.”

Lt General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron, DCOC, in his address, also reiterated Durand’s importance for young football talent in the country saying, “The Durand Cup, conducted by the Indian Army on behalf of the Armed Forces, is far more than a football tournament. It is a celebration of India’s unity in diversity, of our belief in character through competition, and of our duty to nurture the next generation through the timeless values of teamwork, discipline and resilience.”

Sandesh Jhingan, who has also captained the national side on several occasions, recalled his enduring experiences with the Durand Cup and said, “We have gathered here today to not merely unveil a trophy, but to celebrate a legacy, a century old tradition, that has, thanks to the Indian Army’s spirit of unwavering dedication and sacrifice, played a vital role in shaping the journey of Indian football: the Durand Cup.”

Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar GoC Delhi Area and Chairman, Standing Working Committee, Durand Football Tournament Society in his address said, “The Durand Football Tournament Society has long stood as a symbol of excellence in promoting football in our nation. We convey our best wishes to all the teams participating in this tournament for successful and spirited matches.”

The trio of revered trophies – the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Shimla Trophy – will now embark on a multi-city tour across this year’s five host states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur. The Trophy Tour aims to ignite public enthusiasm and community pride in the lead-up to the tournament’s kick-off on July 23, 2025. The grand finale is scheduled for August 23, 2025.

Kokrajhar in Assam will extend their status as Durand Cup hosts for the third consecutive year while Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Shillong in Meghalaya were added as hosts last year. The century-old tournament shifted its home base to Kolkata from New Delhi back in 2019 and will continue to hold that status for a sixth consecutive edition.

Matches will be held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, JRD Tata Sports Complex or Morabadi Stadium in Jharkhand, Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, and SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar.

NorthEast United FC enters the tournament as defending champions, having secured their maiden title last year by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The full list of participating teams and groupings is expected to be announced later this week.