PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, July 7: A ceremonial unveiling of the prestigious 134th Durand Cup Trophy was held at the XLRI Auditorium in Jamshedpur today, marking the beginning of the iconic football tournament’s celebrations in Jharkhand.
The event was graced by the Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar, as the chief guest, and Minister for School Education and Literacy, Ramdas Soren, as the guest of honour.
Organized by the Indian Armed Forces with the support of the Government of Jharkhand, the grand ceremony witnessed the presence of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Karn Satyarthi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Piyush Pandey, Director of Sports (Jharkhand) Shekhar Jamuar, senior officials from the Indian Army including Mohan Malhotra and Paramjit Singh Dagar, representatives from Tata Steel, and a large gathering of sports enthusiasts and dignitaries from the district administration and police.
Also Read- Sanjog Gupta appointed new CEO of ICC
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Gangwar said that hosting the historic Durand Cup is a moment of pride for the state and will significantly promote sports culture among the youth.
He emphasized that such international-level tournaments inspire discipline, unity, and team spirit while opening new avenues in sports for the younger generation.
The Governor highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to develop robust sports infrastructure and mentioned India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics. He also lauded the Indian Army and the local administration for organizing this event and extended his best wishes to the participating teams.
Minister Ramdas Soren highlighted the Jharkhand government’s commitment to promoting sports through its new sports policy, which aims to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level.
Also Read- Nishikant Dubey alleges Indira Gandhi collaborated with Britain in Golden Temple attack
He termed the hosting of Durand Cup matches in Jharkhand as a proud achievement and extended his best wishes to all teams participating in the tournament.
The cultural segment of the program featured vibrant performances showcasing India’s unity in diversity, including Jharkhand’s traditional Chhau and Santhali dances, and a lively Bhangra performance by Indian Army personnel. As a token of appreciation, footballs were presented to all dignitaries.
This is the second time Jamshedpur has been chosen to host the matches of the Durand Cup, a tournament with a 134-year-old legacy.
Matches will be played at the JRD Tata Sports Complex from July 24 to August 1, featuring teams like Jamshedpur FC, Indian Army FT, Tribhuvan Army FC (Nepal), and 1 Ladakh FC.
To build excitement among football fans, a Trophy Tour is also being conducted across different areas of Jamshedpur on July 7 and 8, drawing responses from the public.
