Shillong, Jul 11: The spirit of football once again swept across Meghalaya as the three iconic trophies of the 135th Durand Cup arrived in Shillong, marking the beginning of another exciting chapter for one of Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournaments.
The trophies will be touring Shillong city, Jowai, and Tura, allowing the public to have a closer view of Asia’s oldest trophies before the revered tournament starts.
The trophy showcase and flagging off ceremony kicked off from the venue at the State Convention Centre, which was attended by State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa, GOC 101 Area, along with several senior military officers, officials, representatives of participating teams, and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Shylla expressed pride in Shillong for hosting yet another season of the prestigious Durand Cup. He said the tournament goes beyond just a game; for Meghalaya, football is a cornerstone of identity, played across villages, schools, and towns. It stands as a catalyst for community unity, youth inspiration, and state pride, he said.
Shylla expressed gratitude towards the Indian Armed Forces and the Durand Cup organizing committee for their unwavering trust in Meghalaya. He said the state is prepared to host the Durand Cup final in future editions.
He said that with over 35,000 participants engaged in sporting events annually, Meghalaya has successfully hosted more than 14 national and international sporting events since 2022, establishing itself as a leading sports destination. The government’s investments in world-class sports infrastructure, like the upcoming Mawkhanu Football Stadium—set to be India’s largest—and upgrades to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, are creating new opportunities for young athletes, he added.
This year’s Durand Cup will witness three local homegrown teams from Meghalaya – Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh SS&CC and Langsning FC participating at the tournament.
The tournament, scheduled from July 25 to August 23, will span across five states – West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
Shillong will host eight matches, including a quarterfinal and a semifinal, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
