Meghalaya welcomed the 135th Durand Cup Trophy Tour today, with State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shri Wailadmiki Shylla flagging off the Shillong leg of the tour in the presence of senior civil and military officials, football administrators and members of the sporting community.
The three iconic Durand Cup trophies — the Durand Cup, President’s Cup and Simla Trophy — arrived in Shillong as part of the nationwide trophy tour, which was formally inaugurated earlier this month by the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
The ceremony at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, was attended by Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa, SM, General Officer Commanding, 101 Area; Air Marshal Devendra P. Hirani, Senior Air Staff Officer, Eastern Air Command; Major General D.K. Singh,GOC Bengal Sub Area and Vice Chairman, Durand Cup Organising Committee; Major General Jai Singh Bainsla, Additional Director General, Assam Rifles; Smt. Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya; along with other senior officials and football representatives.
The event celebrated Meghalaya’s deep-rooted football culture and marked the beginning of the Trophy Tour’s journey through the tournament’s five host cities. The programme included a presentation on the legacy of the Durand Cup, a screening of the President of India’s trophy unveiling and flag-off ceremony, a choir performance by the Khmih Creative Society, the ceremonial display of the three trophies and an exchange of mementoes among dignitaries before the convoy commenced its journey.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Wailadmiki Shylla, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, said, “Football is not merely a game in Meghalaya, it is part of our identity. It unites communities, inspires our youth and brings immense pride to our State. We are grateful to the Indian Armed Forces for giving Meghalaya the opportunity to host the Durand Cup for the third consecutive year, and we hope that Shillong will one day have the privilege of hosting the Durand Cup Final.”
Following the flag-off, the Trophy Convoy travelled through prominent locations across Shillong, including Camel Back Road, Civil Hospital, Umshyrpi Bridge, Shillong Peak, Nongthymmai, Laitumkhrah, Dhanketi Point, Barik Point and Khyndailad, before concluding at the Chief Minister Football Fan Park at SRGT Ground, Polo.
Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa, SM, General Officer Commanding, 101 Area, said, “There are cities that host football, and there are cities that live football. Shillong proudly belongs to the latter. The passion, knowledge and unwavering support of football fans here create an atmosphere admired throughout India’s football fraternity. Meghalaya has become an integral part of the Durand Cup journey, and we are delighted to return to Shillong once again and reaffirm the city’s place as one of the tournament’s key destinations.”
Shillong will once again serve as a major venue for the tournament, hosting Group E fixtures featuring Mumbai FC, Shillong Lajong FC, Langsning FC and Nongkseh SS&CC. The city will stage eight matches, including a quarter-final and a semi-final, further strengthening its position as one of India’s premier football centres.
After Shillong, Jowai and Tura, the Trophy Tour will move to Imphal on July 15 before continuing across other host cities ahead of the start of the 135th Durand Cup on July 25.
The 135th Durand Cup will be held from July 25 to August 23, 2026, across five host cities .
