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Shillong, Aug 01, 2024: The Shillong leg of the 133rdIndianOil Durand Cup will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri. Conrad K. Sangma on Friday (Aug 02, 2024) ahead of the first game here at the newly renovated Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium between local side Shillong Lajong FC and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Team. The kick-off will be preceded by what promises to be a dazzling opening ceremony. This is the first time that the prestigious Durand Cup will hosted in the beautiful football loving Meghalayan capital. Also gracing the occasion will be Air Marshal SP Dharkar, PVSM, AVSM, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Air Command and Lt. General Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-Chief, Eastern Command.
The opening ceremony will be commenced by a spectacular Air Show followed by a Bhangra and Gatka performance by the 2nd and 13th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment. It will be then followed by a daredevil Motorcycle Show performed by the soldiers of Corps of Military Police. Song and dance then continues with performances by the Children Choir and a dance performance on the song “Badloo Ram Ka Badan” by the boys of the Assam Regimental Centre.
The final performance will be a Musical Ensemble by more than800 schoolchildren from different schools of Shillong.The Hon. Chief Minister will then meet the players ahead of kick-off and also symbolically inaugurate the Group F proceedings, all six games of which will be played in Shillong.
Official ceremonies will also include the marching in of the Tournament Flagsand the Trophies.
Musical performances are also planned for the break, when artists Gracyl and Dapelai, Lamphang& Choir and finally Cynda will enthral the crowd with their performances.
Shillong will host Group F, comprising ISL sides FC Goa and Hyderabad FC along with Shillong Lajong FC and Tribhuvan Army Football Team of Nepal.
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.
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.