Imphal Chapter of 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Opens with Grand Celebration of Manipur’s Sporting Legacy and Military Traditions

Imphal, July 28, 2026: The Imphal Chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup, organised by the Indian Armed Forces with the support of the Government of Manipur, got underway in grand fashion at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Tuesday, with a spectacular opening ceremony celebrating Manipur’s rich sporting heritage, the martial traditions of the Indian Armed Forces and the enduring legacy of Asia’s oldest football tournament before the opening fixture of the tournament kicked off.

The opening ceremony was graced by Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Hon’ble Governor of Manipur; Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur; General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, Chief of the Army Staff; Dr. Losii Dikho, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur; Shri Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Manipur; Lieutenant General V. M. B. Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee; Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, 3 Corps; and Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Bengal Sub Area and Vice Chairman, Durand Cup Organising Committee, along with senior civil and military officials, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors, partners and members of the football fraternity.

The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the participating teams, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, followed by recorded video messages from General N. S. Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff, and General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, Chief of the Army Staff. The celebrations continued with performances by military bands before the dignitaries arrived at the venue. The National Song and the National Anthem were subsequently played, followed by the felicitation of the Hon’ble Governor and the Hon’ble Chief Minister.

The cultural programme featured a medley of patriotic songs by singer Silentliu Kamei, followed by a spectacular skydiving display and a ceremonial flypast by Army helicopters and fighter aircrafts. The audience also witnessed a performance by Manipuri singer Sadananda, a Military Jazz Band Fusion presentation, demonstrations of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu and Chenda, a traditional Manipuri dance performance by students of the Manipur Government Dance College, and a captivating display of the indigenous martial art Thang-Ta, showcasing the state’s rich cultural and martial heritage.

Among the highlights of the evening was the ceremonial Trophy Drill showcasing the three trophies presented to the champions of the tournament—the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Simla Trophy. This was followed by an audio-visual presentation celebrating Manipur’s rich sporting legacy and its enduring contribution to the Indian Armed Forces.

The ceremonial proceedings continued with the march of the Eastern Command Flag, the Durand Cup Flag and the All India Football Federation Flag, followed by the entry of TRAU FC and NEROCA FC alongside children accompanying the players. The Hon’ble Governor was then escorted onto the field, where he interacted with the players and match officials before participating in the ceremonial group photograph.

In a heart-warming moment during the ceremony, specially abled child Wanglembam Ocenao of BB Paul Mental Development House, Mongsangei, joined the Hon’ble Governor for the ceremonial kick-off and was felicitated on the field. The Hon’ble Governor also posed for photographs with the tournament’s three iconic trophies before officially inaugurating the Imphal Chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup through the ceremonial kick-off, following which the opening fixture between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC commenced.

The opening ceremony once again underlined Manipur’s deep-rooted association with Indian football and the Durand Cup. Renowned for producing some of the country’s finest footballers and consistently nurturing footballing talent, the state continues to play a pivotal role in the growth of the sport while providing one of the tournament’s most passionate footballing atmospheres.

Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services and with the support of the respective host state governments, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest surviving football tournament. Established in 1888, the competition continues to bring together India’s leading clubs, Services teams and international participation while preserving its unique military and footballing legacy.

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will be played from July 25 to August 23, 2026, across five host cities—Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong and Imphal. The tournament features 24 teams, including one foreign side representing the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, competing across 43 matches at six venues. The matches will be streamed live on Sony LIV and telecast on Sony Ten 5 HD and SD.