THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, July 4: The 134th edition of the historic Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, is set to begin on July 23 and will continue till August 23.
This year, the prestigious event will be hosted across five states—West Bengal, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Assam, highlighting the sport’s deep cultural roots in Eastern and North-Eastern India.
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President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the tournament trophies at a ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
Organised by the Indian Army, the tournament will see participation from 24 teams, which will be divided into six groups. The Durand Cup also holds the distinction of being the third oldest football tournament in the world.
During the ceremony, President Murmu acknowledged the significance of the tournament in promoting physical endurance, teamwork, and strategic thinking. She emphasised the role of sports in strengthening national unity and noted football’s power to bring together people and regions across India.
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The unveiling event was attended by top military officials including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Their presence underlined the enduring role of the armed forces in preserving the legacy of the Durand Cup.
