KOKRAJHAR: Ahead of the grand opening ceremony of the 132nd Durand Cup at Kokrajhar SAI on August 5, the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of BTC Pramod Boro on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed iron gallery surrounding the SAI field in the presence of GOC of the Red Horns Division Major General S. Murusegan, BTC EMs-Daobaisa Boro, Reo REowa Narzihary and Gautam Das and MLA Lawrence Islary.
Talking to media persons, the CEM of BTC Pramod Boro said there had been lack of infrastructures for hosting big football events in Kokrajhar but by giving an opportunity to host the Asian oldest football tournament Durand Cup at SAI, Kokrajhar, new iron gallery has been built within a month to facilitate good accommodation to spectators. He said that peace has returned in the region for which the hosting of national level Durand Cup, Sontosh trophy became possible besides focusing on other developmental works on various sectors.
“We never think that a mega football event like the Durand cup will come up in Kokrajhar due to lack of infrastructure but everything has become possible because of the peaceful environment”, he said. He also added that the newly inaugurated iron gallery had around 11,000 seating capacity and around 14,000 seating arrangements would be made for the spectators.
Boro said, the union Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh will grace the opening ceremony as chief guest. Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Minister UG Brahma, president of All India Football Federation Kalyan Singh Chaubey and other dignitaries will come to witness the grand opening ceremony of Durand Cup in Kokrajhar on Saturday.
Since the grand opening ceremony is just two days left, the final practice of different cultural groups, band party and other live streaming performances including fly past of Sukhoi-30 jet fighters, helicopters and paragliding by paratroopers of Indian army was held today. Four Sukhoi-30, 5 helicopters were seen flying past over the sky at SAI-Kokrajhar as part of final practice today. Five paratroopers of the Indian army jumped off from the helicopter in the sky and landed at SAI field beautifully while dancers from eleven ethnic communities performed their traditional dance on the ground.
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