Kokrajhar Rolls Out Red Carpet For 134th Durand Cup Trophies
Senior Indian Army officials, including Major General H.S. Bajaj, VSM (Chief of Staff, Gajraj Corps), Major General Rajesh Arun Moghe, VSM (GOC, Bengal Sub Area), and Major General Rohin Bawa, YSM (GOC, Red Horns Division), also attended the ceremony. Their presence underscored the Indian Army's enduring role in organizing the Durand Cup and fostering civil-military cooperation.
The SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar will host six matches this year, featuring teams like Bodoland FC, Punjab FC, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Football Team, and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC competing for victory.
Local fans are eagerly awaiting the action, especially the opening match between ITBP and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC on July 27. This year's tournament spans six venues across five states – Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, and Manipur — celebrating India's widespread football enthusiasm.
As the trophies made their ceremonial journey through Kokrajhar, they represented more than just sporting excellence – they carried hopes, unity, and the promise of unforgettable football moments ahead.
What Is The Durand Cup?
Established in 1888 in Annadale, Shimla, the Durand Cup is India's premier annual domestic football competition and a tournament of significant historical importance. It is currently hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
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New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
ITBP edge past ten men Karbi Anglong Morning Star in Group D opener
Durand Cup debutants Indo Tibetan Border Police FT edged past ten men Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2-1 in the Group D opener of the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup which was played at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Lunminlen Haokip gave the lead for Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC but goals from Pulung Diamary and Hemraj Bhujel gave the para military side the victory and three crucial points. Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC (KAMSFC) Head Coach C A Laldinsang Pudaite named a strong line up which included three foreigners in Joseph Olaleye, Victor Jackson and Ben Nash Quansh while ITBF FT Head Coach Surojit Kumar named a strong line up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation. In another match, a headed goal by Indian Air Force FT defender Sankit, in the last minute of added time, helped his team earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against debutants South United FC (SUFC), whose number nine Makakmayum Daniyal had earlier set alight the Durand Cup, with the first hattrick of the tournament. In a Group A encounter played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK), the Boys in Green from Bengaluru, in their debut campaign at Asia's oldest tournament and coming off a 0-5 reverse in their first game, displayed exceptional character against much experienced opponents led by the calm and clinical Daniyal, but in the end both teams deservedly spit points. In Assam, both debutant teams were trying to take control of the midfield which made an intriguing battle with both sides cancelling each other out in the centre of the field. KAMSFC, who play in I-League 3, were reduced to ten men in just the 23rd minute when Ghanaian centre back Ben Nash Quansh received a direct red card for a reckless two footed challenge. The referee has no choice but to send off the defender. ITBP took control of possession using the man advantage but it was the side from Assam who drew first blood. Lunminlen Haokip neatly finished a counter attacking move to give his side the lead in the 30th minute. The striker could have doubled the lead minutes later when he pounced on a mistake by the ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama. The goalkeeper could not gather a cross cleanly and Lunminlen who was lurking around pounced but could not put the finishing touches. ITBP equalised in the final minute of first half regulation time through Pulung Daimary, whose neat side footed finish found the bottom right corner after taking a deflection of the defender. KAMSFC were brave with their attacking plays, without fearing about the man disadvantage with Joseph Olaleye creating the most trouble, but there weren't any clear cut chances that troubled the ITBP goalkeeper. ITBP scored the second goal in the 60th minute with a neat team move. Srikumar Karjee received a long diagonal pass in the right wing and the winger fended off two defenders and drilled a low cross into the box which was expertly finished by Hemraj Bhujel past the diving goalkeeper Gojen Hanse. The Assam side could not create any meaningful chances even after having the ball inside the opposition's half as the man disadvantage made it difficult to have more people inside the box. The best chance to equalise came deep into stoppage time but ITBP goalkeeper punched a header by Lunminlen which was heading into the goal. ITBP maintained the slender advantage until the final whistle and secured three crucial points in the group. Durand Cup action will shift to Kolkata on Monday, as Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC will take on another Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC in an enthralling Group B fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. All matches live on Sony Sports
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
'Whatever You Want To Dream...': Sunil Chhetri In Kokrajhar For Durand Cup 2025
Also present during the grand opening ceremony celebrations ahead of kick-off of the first Group D game between Assam's Morning Star FC and ITBP FT were the Hon'ble Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Pramod Boro who was Chief Guest, and Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organising Committee (DCOC), among other dignitaries. Celebrations began three hours before kick-off building up the festive fervour among the city's passionate fans and comprised thrilling military displays sprinkled with local and national musical and cultural performances. The state and the Bodoland region's political leadership was represented among others by Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Hon'ble Minister for Handloom, Textile and Sericulture, Soil Conservation and Welfare of Bodoland Department, Govt. of Assam, Rwngwra Narzary, member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Joyanta Basumatary, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha. Representing the Armed Forces leadership was Lt. Gen. Gambhir Singh, AVSM, YSM GOC 4 Corps, Major Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe, VSM GOC, Bengal Sub Area & Vice Chairman, DCOC, Maj. Gen. Rohin Bawa, YSM GOC 21Mountain and Brig. Akshay Kapoor, Commander 107 Mountain Brigade. Speaking on the occasion, Pramod Boro said, 'We are writing a new story where football has taken the role of harmony in Kokrajhar. We have given the youth a platform through football to give them more confidence to move ahead in life. Football has united our villages and has given a path to move forward. Sports has a played a huge role in eliminating violence from Bodoland. I am thankful to the Indian Armed Forces on behalf of the people of Bodoland by bringing the Durand Cup to Bodoland Territorial Region for the third consecutive time. I also thank all the people of organising committee, SAI and everyone else involved for working towards a successful Durand Cup." What Did Sunil Chhetri Say? Sunil Chhetri motivated the crowd by saying, 'I hope that everyone realises that whatever you want to dream in sports, it is not too far. Nothing changes or galvanises a place better than sports and football is the best sport in the country to do that and I urge everyone to make use of the facilities that are provided. I thank the people of Bodoland for all the warmth and I wish everyone the best of luck." The celebrations began with a DJ playing music to charge up the slowly gathering crowd and a Hot Air Balloon display to mesmerise them further. The musical soiree continued with performances from the Pipe Band and Maj. Yogesh Adhikari, followed by a Punjabi Bhangra dance performance. An exciting Dog Show then enthralled audiences in between a wonderful fusion performance by a Pipe and Jazz band and a rendition of Badluram ka Badan, a regimental song of the Assam Regiment which was created as an ode to World War II martyr Rifleman Badluram, by Major M.T. Prokto Then Joi Baruah and Band entertained with their performances on both sides of the arrival of dignitaries, felicitation of the Guests of Honour and the playing of the video of the Hon'ble President of India unveiling the Durand Cup Trophies in Delhi on July 4th. A Brass Band display performance then preceded the keynote address delivered by the Pramod Boro and the motivating speech delivered by the great Sunil Chhetri. A display of the culture of the State of Assam followed as Bagurumba, Bihu, Bardwi Sikhla & Dahal Thungri performances reverberated across the SAI stadium. Concurrently, there was also an Aeromodel display and a display by the Indian Army's Paramotor Team comprising pilots from the 10 PARA Special Forces who showcased a spectacular fly past. advetisement Artist Geeta Shri then send the crowd into raptures with a performance of the famous Waka Waka song, an anthem for football celebrations around the world. The military was also not to be left behind in cultural performances as the Gorkha regiment then displayed their famous skills with the deadly Khukri. The ceremony was then left spellbound as the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter jets performed a fly past over the stadium. The final two cultural performances involved Chenda Drummers alongside Kalaripayattu, a Kerala martial art display performed by the 21st Battalion D Madras Regiment and a Chau Dance performance by artists from West Bengal. A Trophy drill and a brief on the Durand Trophies was then given and the Durand theme video played, before the players lined up on the pitch to a fly past by Army Aviation Heptrs. The Chief Guest was introduced to the players and he exchanged greetings with both teams and the match officials before a ceremonial kick of the football by Boro formally opened the Kokrajhar Durand Cup leg of 2025. advetisement
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
ITBP edge out 10-men Karbi Anglong Morning Star
Kokrajhar, Jul 27 (PTI) Durand Cup debutants Indo Tibetan Border Police FT edged out 10-men Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2-1 in a Group D opener here at the SAI Stadium on Sunday. Lunminlen Haokip gave the lead to Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC but goals from Pulung Diamary and Hemraj Bhujel gave the para military side victory and three points. Both debutant teams were trying to take control of the midfield which made an intriguing battle with both sides cancelling each other out in the centre of the field. KAMSFC, who play in I-League 3, were reduced to 10 men in just the 23rd minute when Ghanaian centre back Ben Nash Quansh received a direct red card for a reckless two footed challenge. ITBP took control of possession using the man advantage but it was the side from Assam who drew first blood. Lunminlen Haokip neatly finished a counter attacking move to give his side the lead in the 30th minute. The striker could have doubled the lead minutes later when he pounced on a mistake by the ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama. The goalkeeper could not gather a cross cleanly and Lunminlen who was lurking around pounced but could not put the finishing touches. ITBP equalised in the final minute of first half regulation time through Pulung Daimary, whose neat side footed finish found the bottom right corner after taking a deflection of a defender. ITBP scored the second goal in the 60th minute with a neat team move. Srikumar Karjee received a long diagonal pass in the right wing and he fended off two defenders and drilled a low cross into the box which was expertly finished by Hemraj Bhujel. PTI AH KHS view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 19:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
