Assam CM Unveils Durand Cup Trophies As State Hosts For First Time

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the three prestigious domestic football trophies, the Durand Cup, the Shimla, and the President's Cup, here on Thursday.

The 134-year-old Durand Cup football tournament will be held from August 17 to September 4 for the first time.

In the tournament around 20 teams from across the country, including 11 ISL teams, will participate.

Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter, the Assam CM said, ''Glad to unveil 3 trophies of 134-year-old Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, to be held in Assam for the first time from Aug 17 to Sept 4 at Guwahati under the aegis of @adgpi & GoA.

20 teams from across the country, including 11 ISL teams, will participate.''

Sarma also thanked the Indian Army for selecting Guwahati among 5 cities in the country to host the first 10 Group D matches of the prestigious tournament.

''I urge all sports enthusiasts in Assam and NE to enjoy the Durand Cup matches. We shall arrange special buses for spectators.

My gratitude to the Indian Army for selecting Guwahati among 5 cities in the country to host the first 10 Group D matches of the prestigious tournament,'' he said in another tweet.

The Assam CM also termed the holding of the matches for the tournament in Assam a historic event for the people of the state.

He also informed that the state government has been nurturing talents so that the country becomes a sporting superpower in the upcoming days.

Chairman of Durand Organising Committee, Lt. General K.K Repsawal, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (101 Area) Lt. General KC Panchanathan, apart from other senior officials of the armed forces and the government of Assam were presented on the occasion.

Also read: Tension continues along Assam-Arunachal boundary

Also watch: