Imphal, July 27: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is an ex-professional footballer himself, unveiled the three prestigious Durand Cup trophies in Imphal’s City Convention Centre on Wednesday, as the five-city Trophy tour reached the powerhouse footballing state.
It gives me immense joy to unveil the Durand Cup Trophy along with Hon’ble Minister Shri @KonthoujamG Ji & senior army officials. The unveiling of the Durand Cup trophy reminds me of the 1981 Durand Cup where I had the opportunity to play in the tournament representing the BSF. pic.twitter.com/xLgKObPnZY
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) July 27, 2022
Manipur is all set to become the first-time hosts of the century-old tournament, Asia’s oldest, along with Assam, as Imphal’s Khuman Lampak stadium gets set to host 10 groups games of the 131st Durand Cup, from August 18- September 05, 2022.
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Also present on the historic occasion were Lt. Gen. K. K. Repswal, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, and Chairman Durand Organising Committee.
The iconic Durand Cup trophies were flagged-off from Kolkata on July 19th and reached Guwahati in Assam on July 21st.
After their tour of Manipur, they proceed to Jaipur, Delhi, and Goa, before returning to Kolkata, where the Grand Finale is scheduled for September 18, 2022, at the hallowed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), also popularly referred to as the Saltlake stadium in local parlance.
The historic tournament, organised by the Indian Army is being supported by the Government of Manipur.
