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Jamshedpur, July 28, 2024:The 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup debuted in Jamshedpur in grand fashion with a spectacular opening ceremony held here at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. The opening match was declared open by a ceremonial kick-off by the Chief Guest, Shri Banna Gupta, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Govt of Jharkhand Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC).
Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), said, “The Indian Army is proud to host this prestigious tournament in Jamshedpur which has always been the beacon of grassroots development of the sport in the region. I am grateful to the Chief Minister and Sports Minister of Jharkhand and also to the TATA Steel Foundation in being there with the organising committee at every step of the conduct of the tournament. I look forward to a glorious edition of the Durand Cup and wish everyone involved in this year’s tournament all the very best.”
Addressing the audience, Shri Banna Gupta said, “This is a proud moment for the state of Jharkhand to host the prestigious Durand Cup for the very first time. Sports has been a part of our culture and we have produced some of the greatest sportspersons in the country. Jamshedpur has always been a footballing hub with the presence of TATA Football Academy producing some of the best talents in the country and the Durand Cup will take the popularity of football in the state to even higher levels and will inspire the youth to take up the sport as a career. I wish all the teams playing in Jamshedpur, especially our local side Jamshedpur FC and the organising committee the very best for a successful tournament.”
The excited crowd were treated to a grand opening ceremony before the kick-off of the opening match between local side Jamshedpur FC and Assam Rifles Football Teamin which Jamshedpur FC beat Assam Rifles Football Team 3-0 to win the opening match played at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
The ceremony started with a breath taking Akashganga drop by team from Indian Airforce followed by a spectacular Fly Past of the Army Aviation Helicopters.The aerial show was followed by a colourful cultural performance with the local artists performing the traditional Paika Dance and Chhau Dance. Bhangra and Kalaripayattu were performed by Indian Army’s soldiers. The cultural program ended with a Dog Show by the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre, Meerut.
Jamshedpur will host Group D, which consists of the Red Miners themselves, fellow ISL side Chennaiyin FC, the Indian Army Football Team and the Assam Rifles Football Team.
All matches of the IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network and can also be livestreamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform.
A total of 24 teams, including a Service team from Nepal, will be seen in action across 43 matches, which will be played in the four host cities of Kokrajhar, Shillong, Jamshedpur (last two named making their debut as host cities) and Kolkata. The last named will also host the grand final on August 31st at the hallowed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK).
ABOUT DURAND CUP
A symbol of India’s football history and culture, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest football tournament. Organised by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup has been the breeding ground for India’s best footballing talent, over the years.
The inaugural edition happened in Shimla in 1888 and then the tournament moved to New Delhi in 1940, where it was held till 2016. In 2019, the tournament came under the aegis of the Eastern Command and moved to the eastern part of the country, with Kolkata, the Mecca of Indian football and the Eastern Command Headquarters, being the home base. What makes the Durand Cup even more unique is that the winners get three trophies, two rotating (Durand Cup and Shimla Trophy) and one for permanent keep (President’s Cup).
As we embark on this exciting journey over the coming weeks, let us celebrate the beautiful game of football, honour the traditions of the Durand Cup, and look forward to witnessing moments of brilliance that will be etched in our memories forever.