Ranchi, July 19: The 135th Durand Cup’s trophy tour arrived in Ranchi on Saturday. Following a successful event in Guwahati, the three prestigious trophies were grandly welcomed during a ceremony at the Kerketta Auditorium, located at the Dipatoli Military Station, organized by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.
The event featured Sudivya Kumar, the Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs of Jharkhand, as the chief guest, alongside Major General Sajjan Singh Mann, the General Officer Commanding of Combat IBG 23, as the honored guest. Other notable attendees included Chhavi Ranjan (IAS), Director of the Sports Department of the Jharkhand Government, Brigadier K. Anand, Chief Operations Officer of Combat IBG 23, Brigadier Manoj Kumar Jha, Commander of the 61 Infantry Brigade, Colonel Amit Kumar Yadav, the nodal officer of the Durand Cup organizing committee, and Colonel Hem Chandra, the nodal officer of Ranchi. Senior citizens, military officials, representatives from participating clubs, sponsors, partners, and members of the football community were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Sudivya Kumar expressed pride in welcoming the 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup to Ranchi. He eagerly anticipated the inaugural match on July 26, which will be attended by the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Kumar emphasized the honor of hosting some of India’s top football clubs and an international team. He assured that football fans would witness an exciting tournament and thanked the Chief Minister and the Indian Army for making this event possible. He invited everyone to be part of this grand sports festival, extending traditional hospitality to all incoming teams and guests.
The ceremony included a screening showcasing the history of the Durand Cup and visuals of the unveiling of the three trophies at the Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier this month. Before the formal display of the three famous trophies—the Durand Cup, President’s Cup, and Shimla Trophy—cultural performances featuring Bhangra, Santhali, and Chhau dance highlighted Jharkhand’s rich culture. The event concluded with the ceremonial flag-off of the trophy roadshow.
Major General Sajjan Singh Mann remarked that after the successful organization of the Durand Cup in Jamshedpur last year, the tournament has now expanded to Ranchi for the first time. This demonstrates their commitment to bringing top-tier football to new regions while strengthening Jharkhand’s rich football tradition. He expressed happiness that the Birsa Munda Football Stadium has become part of the illustrious legacy of the Durand Cup, providing football enthusiasts across the state the opportunity to witness one of India’s most prestigious football tournaments.
Following the ceremonial flag-off, the trophy roadshow passed through key areas of Ranchi, including Kokar, Lalpur Chowk, Karamtoli Road, Kachahri Road, and Sujata Chowk, returning to the Dipatoli Military Station. The convoy made stops at Nucleus Mall, Morabadi Ground, and Firayalal Chowk, where cultural programs organized by the Jharkhand Government’s Department of Art, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs, along with performances by the Army Band, transformed the trophy tour into a grand public celebration. At each stop, numerous football fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the famous trophies, reflecting the growing excitement surrounding Ranchi’s inaugural hosting of the Durand Cup.
The trophy tour will continue on Monday, July 20, with a special outreach program in Gumla. Here, the district administration will welcome the three famous trophies, followed by a roadshow in the city. The convoy will stop at Tower Chowk and Patel Chowk, paying tribute to Param Vir Chakra winner Shaheed Albert Ekka by laying flowers at his statue. The program will conclude at Albert Ekka Stadium, where Minister Sudivya Kumar and Major General Sajjan Singh Mann will address the audience. This will be followed by an exhibition football match for boys and an awards ceremony, marking the completion of the Jharkhand leg of the trophy tour.
As the new host venue for the Durand Cup, Ranchi plays a pivotal role in the tournament’s ongoing expansion. The inclusion of Jharkhand’s capital signifies the Durand Cup Organizing Committee’s commitment to bringing top-level football to emerging sports centers and enhancing the tournament’s reach in Eastern India.
The 135th Durand Cup will take place from July 25 to August 23 across Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal. A total of 24 teams will participate, including a foreign team from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. These teams will compete in 43 matches across six venues. The tournament will kick off on July 25 with the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, with the final scheduled for August 23 at the same venue.
Leave a Comment