Assam reaffirms commitment to football as 135th IndianOil Durand Cup Trophy Tour reaches Guwahati

Guwahati, July 16, 2026: The Trophy Tour of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup arrived in Guwahati on Thursday, with the city hosting the Trophy Display, Tour and Press Conference at Hotel Vivanta ahead of the tournament’s fifth consecutive edition in Assam.

The event was graced by Shri Biswajit Daimary, Hon’ble Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam; Shri Kausar Jamil Hilaly IAS (Retd.), Special Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare Department; Maj Gen Dinesh Kumar Singh, SM, VSM, GOC, Bengal Sub Area and Vice Chairman, Durand Cup Organising Committee; Maj Gen Amit Dhir, VSM, Chief of Staff, Gajraj Corps; Brig Anupam Sharma, Commander, Invictus Brigade; Shri Ankur Bharali, ACS, Director, Sports & Youth Welfare Department, Government of Assam; and Parthib Gogoi, forward of defending champions NorthEast United FC.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Biswajit Daimary reiterated Assam’s commitment to strengthening football at the grassroots while highlighting the significance of hosting the prestigious tournament. “Football is deeply rooted in Assam’s sporting culture, and hosting the Durand Cup is both a matter of pride and an opportunity to inspire the next generation. We must move beyond simply identifying talent to creating it through structured grassroots development, quality infrastructure and sustained institutional commitment. Along with world-class stadiums, we need playgrounds and competitive opportunities that allow children to develop from an early age. If we continue to invest in our youth and work together with organisations like the Indian Army, I am confident that India can emerge as a stronger footballing nation.”

Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen Dinesh Kumar Singh, SM, VSM, said “The Durand Cup is not just about competition; it is about inspiring young footballers across the North-East and strengthening India’s football ecosystem. Together with the Government of Assam and our partners, we remain committed to taking the game to every aspiring player, creating opportunities for local talent and nurturing the dream of seeing India compete on football’s biggest stage.”

Representing defending champions NorthEast United FC, Parthib Gogoi reflected on the club’s journey and looked ahead to another campaign. “Winning the Durand Cup taught us that success comes through resilience, hard work and belief. As defending champions, we know every season begins from zero, and we’re excited to return to Guwahati, where the incredible support of our fans gives us the strength to keep striving for greater success.”

Following the ceremony, the iconic Durand Cup, President’s Cup and Simla Trophy embarked on a two-day tour across Guwahati, visiting prominent landmarks including the Assam Legislative Assembly, Bir Lachit Borphukan Statue, IIT Guwahati and City Centre Mall, allowing football enthusiasts to witness the three historic trophies up close ahead of the tournament.

Maj Gen Amit Dhir, VSM, Chief of Staff, Gajraj Corps, underlined the enduring legacy of the tournament and its impact on Indian football, “For more than 135 years, the Durand Cup has represented excellence in Indian football. Its continued success reflects the strong partnership between the Armed Forces, the Government of Assam and the football community, while providing young players with a national platform to pursue their dreams and showcase their talent.”

Assam continues to play a pivotal role in the Durand Cup’s modern journey, hosting the tournament since 2023. Guwahati will stage six Group F matches in this year’s edition featuring NorthEast United FC, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, Bodoland FC and FC 1, with three clubs from the state underlining Assam’s growing contribution to Indian football.

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will be played from July 25 to August 23, 2026, across five host cities — Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati and Ranchi, with the Jharkhand capital making its debut as a host venue in the tournament’s 138-year history.

Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services and with the support of the host state governments, the Durand Cup is the world’s third-oldest surviving football competition. Established in 1888, it continues to be one of India’s most prestigious football tournaments while providing an important platform for established stars, emerging talent and Services teams.

The 135th edition will feature 24 teams, including one foreign side representing the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, competing across 43 matches at six venues. The tournament will kick off with the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on July 25 before culminating with the Final at the same venue on August 23, 2026.