The Local Organizing Committee of the 132nd Durand Cup Football Tournament announced that some matches of the tournament will be hosted in Northeast India. Shillong in Meghalaya and Kokrajhar in Assam will host matches of the legendary football tournament.
This year’s tournament is scheduled to take place between August 3 and September 3. Durand Cup has become the traditional season-opener in India’s domestic footballing calendar.
The organizing committee has mentioned that matches will be organized in Guwahati as well. And that they are expecting a large number of people to turn up for the matches this year. Especially in Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Kokrajhar. A popular football club from Meghalaya, the Shillong Lajong Football Club has also qualified for the tournament.
This is the second edition of the tournament after the pandemic and the 132nd Durand Cup overall. Sunil Chhetri’s Bengaluru Football Club won the 131st edition. They had defeated Mumbai City Football Club in the finals in Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan with a 2-1 score.
The General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command was also present during the event. He shed light on the history of the Durand Cup and how it is a very proud tradition for the armed forces. He also mentioned that after the previous year’s response, the organizers have decided to expand in Northeast India. Last year matches were hosted in Guwahati and Imphal and both got good viewership.
He said that the players and viewers will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and hospitality of Assam and Meghalaya during the tournament. The officer also thanked the state governments of Assam and Meghalaya for their support.
Twenty matches of the 131st edition were hosted in Northeast India. Guwahati and Imphal got ten matches each in the tournament.
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