Football fans throng the JLN stadium as Durand celebrations reach a crescendo in Shillong

Shillong, July 26, 2025: The 134^th IndianOil Durand Cup celebrations reached a crescendo when 20 thousand cheering and enthusiastic football fans thronged the JLN stadium here on Saturday afternoon in the august presence of the hon’ble Meghalaya Chief minister Shri. Conrad Kongkhal Sangma, the Chief Guest, and Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), to usher in Asia’s oldest football tournament, for a second successive year.

The occasion also saw the presence of the Shri Shakliar Warjri, Hon’ble Minister in charge of Sports and Youth Affairs Dept, Govt. of Meghalaya, Shri. Donald Phillips Wahlang, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Meghalaya, and Dr. Vijay Kumar, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs department.

Also present was Air Marshal Surat Singh, AVSM, VM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command. Lt. Gen. Sanjay Malik, SM, General Officer Commanding 101 Area, Lt. Gen. Mohit Malhotra, AVSM, SM, Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command & Chairman, DCOC, Major Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe, VSM, GOC, Bengal Sub Area & Vice Chairman, DCOC and Maj. Gen. Naveen Thapliyal, Chief of Staff, HQ 101 Area, were among the other top Armed Forces officials to have also graced the occasion.

Just before the start of the match, Lt. Gen. R.C. Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), met with players of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM FA) during a special meet and greet session. He extended his best wishes for their debut campaign in the Durand Cup and presented the team with a commemorative memento.

A soulful opening ceremony, beginning two hours before Group E’s first game between local favourites Shillong Lajong FC and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM FA), who are debuting in the Durand Cup, and with music at the heart of it, kept fans enthralled in a rousing build-up.

It began with two performances by the Artists of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), now known as the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Production (CMGMP), an initiative of the Government of Meghalaya aimed at promoting and nurturing the state’s rich musical heritage. The CMGMP today enables more than 38,000 live performances empowering more than 5000 local artists, helping in building a sustainable ecosystem for them. The two wonderful performances lasted for a full 40 melodious minutes.

Post the arrival of the Chief Guest Shri. Sangma and his felicitation, Katta Nisa, a folklorist and folkfusion musician, whose band Hoihoimakbil has won Rocka Rolla awards for best folk bands, and having performed previously on platforms like the Megong and Winter Tales festivals, delivered a spellbinding performance before another melodious rendition by the local duo of Deiwitewan Synnah and Eniba War raised the tempo further. The last two named from the jaintian hills represent their culture with their music and are known for their song Khon U Who.

The musical caravan continued with a stirring performance by Light After Dark, a nationally acclaimed local band of visually impaired artists, who inspired the entire crowd with their talent and spirit.

Next, it was the turn of the military performers and it began with Kalaripayattu, performed by the 21^st Battalion D Madras Regiment. An ancient and traditional martial art and sport from Kerala known for its swift movements, weapon techniques and yogic elements, Kalaripayattu helps combine physical agility with mental discipline and traditional practices.

Then pilots from the 10 PARA Special Forces of the Indian Army’s Paramotor Team, sliced through the sky in a spectacular fly past.

The record-breaking TORNADOES of the ASC Motorcycle Display Team were next and epitomized the spirit of adventure and dare-devilry with a display of excellent technical skills on their motorbikes.

The biggest highlight of the event was the rendition of the Official 134th Durand Cup Theme Song by Shillong’s very own Edward Thma, brought to life by four phenomenal female vocalists – Gracyl, Cynda, Antara and Pynsuk – and backed by the explosive ALIVE band. The pride of choosing a local band to compose and perform the theme song was palpable among the crowd.

The CHOIR Ensemble had Meghalaya’s most esteemed choirs – Elev8 from Jowai, Khmih Creative Society, Kids Tarari Choir, St. Edmund’s College Choir and Gilead learning Centre Choir united their voices in the celebrations as well, captivating audiences. A total of 40 traditional drummers created an unforgettable soundscape that celebrated the vibrant spirit of Meghalaya as also the essence of the historic Durand Cup.

As the performances came to a momentary end, players lined up on the field of play, the FIFA anthem was played and just ahead of kick-off, the dignitaries were introduced and photographed with both teams, as well as the match officials. Shri. Sangma also ceremoniously kicked the football to begin the Shillong leg.

Celebrations then picked up at the half-time break when Badluram Ka Badan, a regimental song of the Assam Regiment, an ode to World War II martyr Rifleman Badluram, by Major M.T. Proktor was rendered and touched many chords. The lemon-break celebrations concluded with  distributing footballs as souvenirs to a thrilled crowd.

Defending champions NorthEast United FC and the other local favourites Rangdajied United FC are the other two sides in Group E, which promises for an exciting three weeks of top footballing action.