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OPENING CEREMONY DURAND CUP (KOKRAJHAR CHAPTER)
Kokrajhar Chapter of the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup is off to a grand beginning with a mesmerising Opening Ceremony and a thrilling Inaugural match.
Kokrajhar, July 30, 2024.
The passionate football lovers of the City of Peace, Kokrajhar were treated to a spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 133 edition of the Durand Cup which was graced by Shri Lalnghinglova Hon’ble Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Department, Govt of Mizoram, Shri Lotay Tshering, former PM of Bhutan, Shri Pramod Boro, Hon’ble CEM BTC, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command, Lt Gen RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and several other civil and military dignitaries.
The Opening Ceremony witnessed 10,000 football enthusiasts, throng the SAI Stadium from across the state. Thrilling aerial activities like helicopter flypasts, parachute jumps and paramotor displays by the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces added military flavour to the occasion. Cultural displays by the Chenda drummers, Chhau dancers and Bhangra artists of the Armed Forces, teamed with the Bodo cultural troupe’, brought colour and festivities to the inaugural event.
Shri Pramod Boro, Hon’ble CEM, BTR, addressed the crowd and complimented the efforts of the Armed Forces for the spectacular show and for bringing the Durand Cup back to the city of Kokrajhar for the second consecutive year. He acknowledged the significance of the event in providing a great platform for the Bodoland Territorial Region to showcase the rich history, culture and spirit of sports and adventure in the region.
Shri Langhinglova, Hon’ble Minister of State for Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Mizoram addressed the gathering on the occasion and spoke at length about the rich sports culture of the region and extended his best wishes to all participating teams. He also highlighted the Indian Army’s role in nation-building and sports as a tool of youth empowerment.
The inaugural match proved to be a thrilling contest between the local favourites Bodoland FC and North East United FC, wherein, North East United FC won with a score of two goals. No goals were scored by the Bodoland FC. Jithin and Ankith scored one goal each from North East United FC in a demonstration of skill, stamina and teamwork. On 03 August 24, Odisha FC will play the BSF FT at the same stadium.
INFORMATION BY PRO DEFENCE GUWAHATI
