Army Chief attends inauguration of Imphal Chapter of Durand Cup
New Delhi, July 28
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth attended the inauguration of the Imphal chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Tuesday, along with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the state's Chief Minister.
The opening ceremony celebrated Manipur's rich sporting heritage, the martial traditions of the Indian armed forces, and the enduring legacy of Asia's oldest football tournament.
Among those present were Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee; Lt Gen Girish Kalia, GOC, 3 Corps; and Maj Gen Dinesh Kumar Singh, GOC, Bengal Sub Area and vice chairman.
The ceremony commenced with the arrival of the participating teams, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, followed by recorded video messages from Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani and General Seth. Military band performances preceded the arrival of dignitaries.
The National Song and National Anthem were played, followed by the felicitation of the Governor and Chief Minister. The cultural programme featured patriotic songs by Silentliu Kamei, a skydiving display, and a ceremonial flypast by Army helicopters and fighter aircraft.
The audience also witnessed performances by Manipuri singer Sadananda, a military jazz band fusion, demonstrations of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu and Chenda, a traditional Manipuri dance by students of the Manipur Government Dance College, and a display of the indigenous martial art Thang-Ta.
This was followed by the ceremonial Trophy Drill showcasing the three trophies awarded to the champions - the Durand Cup, the President's Cup, and the Simla Trophy. An audio-visual presentation highlighted Manipur's sporting legacy and its contribution to the armed forces.
The ceremonial proceedings continued with the march of the Eastern Command Flag, the Durand Cup Flag, and the All India Football Federation Flag, followed by the entry of TRAU FC and NEROCA FC alongside children.
In a heart-warming moment, specially abled child Wanglembam Ocenao of B.B. Paul Mental Development House, Mongsangei, joined the Governor for the ceremonial kick-off and was felicitated. The Governor also posed with the three trophies before officially inaugurating the Imphal chapter of the Durand Cup, following which the opening fixture between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC commenced.
The ceremony underlined Manipur's deep-rooted association with Indian football and the Durand Cup. Renowned for producing some of the country's finest footballers, the state continues to nurture talent and provide one of the tournament's most passionate atmospheres.
Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three services and with support from host state governments, the Durand Cup is Asia's oldest and the world's third-oldest surviving football tournament. Established in 1888, it continues to bring together leading clubs, services teams, and international participation while preserving its military and footballing legacy.
The 135th edition is being played from July 25 to August 23, 2026, across five host cities - Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Shillong, and Imphal - featuring 24 teams, including one foreign side representing the Sri Lankan armed forces, competing in 43 matches at six venues.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive lineup of events - military bands, skydiving, martial arts displays, and football. The inclusion of specially abled child Wanglembam Ocenao for the ceremonial kick-off was particularly touching. This is how you build national unity through sports and culture.
While the ceremony was grand, I hope the focus remains on developing grassroots football in Manipur. We have so much raw talent but infrastructure is still lacking in many parts. Durand Cup should also mean more academies and coaching for our young players, not just a one-day show. Just saying... 🙏
Wonderful blend of military tradition and football! The Thang-Ta display and Chenda performance sound spectacular. Manipur's sporting legacy is unmatched - from hockey to football to boxing, this state produces champions. Hope more such events happen across the Northeast to showcase our cultural diversity.
Seeing three trophies - Durand Cup, President's Cup, and Simla Trophy - being showcased together is nostalgic. This tournament has been running since 1888, even before independence! Army's role in preserving this legacy while promoting football in conflict-affected areas is commendable. Well done, Eastern Command! ✨
The participation of Sri Lankan armed forces adds an international flavour! 24 teams across 5 host cities is massive. But I wonder if the security situation in Imphal allows for consistent crowd attendance? Hope the matches see good turnout and no disruptions. Northeast football deserves this spotlight.
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