-by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Guwahati, Assam
The Guwahati leg of the 135th Durand Cup got underway in spectacular fashion at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Saturday, with a grand opening ceremony celebrating Assam’s rich cultural heritage, the traditions of the Indian Armed Forces and the legacy of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
Organised by the Indian Armed Forces with the support of the Government of Assam, the ceremony preceded the opening Group F clash between defending champions NorthEast United FC and Bodoland FC.
The event was attended by Assam Sports Minister Biswajit Daimary, who was the Chief Guest, along with Finance, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, Special Secretary of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare KJ Hilaly, Eastern Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief and Durand Cup Organising Committee Patron Lieutenant General V. M. B. Krishnan, IV Corps GOC Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla, Bengal Sub Area GOC and Durand Cup Organising Committee Vice Chairman Major General Dinesh Kumar Singh, 21 Mountain Division GOC Major General Rohin Bawa, and several senior civil and military officials, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors and members of the football fraternity.
Festivities began with a host of pre-event attractions, including a tethered hot-air balloon display, a performance by a military jazz band, a fusion presentation featuring the Army Brass Band, Pipe Band and Jazz Band, a dog show and video presentations highlighting the 135th edition of the Durand Cup and the Trophy Tour.
The formal ceremony commenced with the arrival of dignitaries and a combined performance by the Military Band and the NCC All Girls’ Brass Band, followed by a skydiving display. The tournament’s three trophies and the official match ball were then ceremonially presented.
A vibrant cultural programme showcased Assam’s traditional art forms, including Bagurumba, Bardwi Sikhla, Bihu and Bhortal, reflecting the state’s rich cultural diversity. The celebrations also featured paramotor and aeromodelling displays, a presentation of ‘Badluram Ka Badan’, an ALH helicopter flypast and performances by Chenda drummers and Kalaripayattu artistes. A special Durand Cup theme film was also screened.
The ceremonial segment continued with the entry of the Eastern Command Flag, the Durand Cup Flag and the All India Football Federation Fair Play Flag. The participating teams and match officials then entered the field before the Chief Guest and dignitaries greeted the players and referees and posed for the official group photograph.
Sports Minister Biswajit Daimary formally declared the Guwahati chapter of the tournament open with a ceremonial kick-off, accompanied by a flypast by Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The dignitaries later posed with the three iconic Durand Cup trophies before the opening Group F fixture between NorthEast United FC and Bodoland FC got underway.
The grand opening ceremony highlighted the Durand Cup’s growing presence in the Northeast, blending football, military traditions and Assam’s vibrant cultural heritage in one of the tournament’s key host cities.
