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DURAND CUP TROPHIES UNVEILED AT KOKRAJHAR
Kokrajhar 22July 2023:
The Trophy unveiling ceremony for the Kokrajhar Chapter of the 132nd Edition of the Durand Cup was held at Kokrajhar with Shri Kalyan Chaubey, Hon’ble President, All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the Chief Guest and Major General Dinesh Hooda, Chief of Staff, Gajraj Corps as the Chief Host.
The three trophies of the historical Durand Cup were jointly unveiled by Shri Kalyan Chaubey, Maj General Dinesh Hooda, Shri Promod Boro, Chief Executive Member, BTC, Major General M Mahendroo, Vice Chairman Durand Organising Committee, Smt Nandita Gorlosa, Hon’ble Minister, Sports and Youth Welfare, Assam and Maj General S Murugesan, General Officer Commanding Red Horns Division.
Ms. Apurna Narzary, U-20 Indian Women Football team captain, and members of the press and local sports enthusiasts were also present during the unveiling ceremony. The Trophy unveiling was followed by the Bodo Cultural fiesta which included Bardwi Sikhla folk dance, Bihu Dance, performance by famous musician and world record holder, Dr. Gwmwtao Basumatary.
The 132nd Edition of the reputed Durand Cup football tournament, organized by the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services is the only tournament in the country that pits Service Teams along with the top teams from different football divisions of India.
The tournament is set to kick-off on August 03, 2023, at Kolkata with Kokrajhar hosting nine matches including one Quarter Final Match. The match between Bodoland FC and Rajasthan United FC will be the opening game on 05 August 2023. All matches will be played at the SAI stadium, Kokrajhar. The Quarter final in Kokrajhar is scheduled on 24 August 2023 and the final match is scheduled on 03 September 2023 in Kolkata. Kokrajhar is playing host to the Durand Cup for the first time.
Maj Gen Dinesh Hooda, Chief of Staff, Gajraj Corps addressed the gathering and spoke about the rich traditions of the Durand Cup, the three trophies, and the long association with the Indian Armed Forces. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Assam and Bodoland Territorial Council for providing the Armed forces with wholehearted support for the tournament.
Trophy tour of Kokrajhar city escorted by 30 Bikers including five lady bikers visited places like Pragati Bhawan, Civil Hospital (RNB Road), KDSA Playground, Habrubari, and SAI Complex among others.
This year the Durand Cup will have 24 teams including all 12 Indian Super League (ISL) teams. Service teams from Bangladesh and Nepal will also be participating in the legacy tournament. The last occasion when foreign teams participated in the tournament was 27 years ago. The Bodoland FC will be taking part for the first time in the Durand Cup which is a rare feat for the local club of Kokrajhar.
Matches in Kokrajhar will start on 05 August at SAI stadium with a spectacular opening ceremony wherein for the first time in the history of Kokrajhar, special events like fly past by Air Force aircraft, Sky Diving, and martial arts by Indian Army will be organised.
