135th IndianOil Durand Cup opens in Shillong with grand celebration of military traditions and Meghalaya’s musical heritage

Shillong, July 31, 2026: The Shillong Chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup, organised by the Indian Armed Forces with support of the Government of Meghalaya, opened in grand fashion at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo Ground, on Friday, with a spectacular opening ceremony celebrating the military traditions of the Indian Armed Forces, Meghalaya’s rich cultural and musical heritage, and the enduring legacy of Asia’s oldest football tournament before the opening Group E fixture between Shillong Lajong FC and Nongkseh SS&CC.

The opening ceremony was attended by Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, as Chief Guest; Shri Marcuise N. Marak, Hon’ble Minister of Public Health Engineering, Housing & Soil and Water Conservation, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. Lahkmen Rymbui, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of Meghalaya; Smt. Isawanda Laloo IAS, Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Abhilash Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Shillong, East Khasi Hills District, Lieutenant General V.M Bhuvana Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee; Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command; Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa, SM, General Officer Commanding, 101 Area; Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera AVSM, SM, Director General, Assam Rifles and Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Bengal Sub Area and Vice Chairman, Durand Cup Organising Committee along with other senior civil and military officials, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors, partners and members of the football fraternity.

Also present at the opening ceremony was John Abraham, owner of NorthEast United FC and Bollywood actor, who witnessed the proceedings as the Shillong Chapter got underway.

The ceremony commenced with a screening of video highlights from the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup and Trophy Tour, followed by a musical presentation featuring a fusion of Army Brass, Pipe and Jazz Bands. The arrival of the Chief Guest and senior military dignitaries was accompanied by traditional drumming and bagpiper performances, following which the Chief Guest was felicitated with a memento featuring a special painting created by students of ASHA schools. Lieutenant General V. M. B. Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee, was also felicitated with a replica of Meghalaya’s living root bridges, symbolising the mutual respect between the state and the Armed Forces.

The cultural and military programme continued with a stirring Gatka performance, showcasing one of India’s traditional martial arts, before the evening took to the skies with a ceremonial aerial display featuring Advanced Light Helicopters. The programme also featured the Khukri Dance, a combat free-fall skydiving display, and a presentation by the North-East Warriors showcasing self-defence, coordination, balance and physical agility.

The aerial presentations were followed by an Akash Ganga para-drop display by the Indian Air Force and a musical ensemble featuring leading local voices, including Gracyl Ropmay, Ahaia Sangma, Cynda Guri Sangma, Donion Azar Laloo, Alessandra Chettri Thomas and the choir of Khmih Creative Society. The performance celebrated Shillong’s deep-rooted musical culture and its reputation as one of India’s prominent centres of music.

Among the highlights of the ceremony was the ceremonial placement of the three trophies presented to the tournament champions—the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Simla Trophy—alongside the official match ball. The Eastern Command Flag, Durand Cup Flag and the All India Football Federation Fair Play Flag were then ceremonially marched into position before the arrival of the participating teams.

The dignitaries subsequently joined Shillong Lajong FC and Nongkseh SS&CC on the field, interacting with the players and participating in a group photograph with both teams before posing for photographs with the three Durand Cup trophies. The ceremonial proceedings paved the way for the opening fixture of the Shillong Chapter.

The Shillong ceremony added another chapter to the Durand Cup’s growing footprint in Meghalaya, with the city hosting the prestigious tournament for the third consecutive edition. It also reinforced the distinctive character of the competition, which brings together football, military traditions and the cultural heritage of its host regions.

Organised by the Indian Armed Forces with the support of the Government of Meghalaya, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest surviving football tournament. Established in 1888, the competition has evolved from its military origins into one of India’s premier football championships while retaining its distinctive heritage and identity.

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup is being hosted 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.