Shillong, July 9: The Meghalaya Durand Cup anthem “Right here We Go” has set the tone for an electrifying soccer season.
The 134th version of the IndianOil Durand Cup — Asia’s oldest and one of many world’s most prestigious soccer tournaments — is about to kick off on July 23, 2025, with Meghalaya as soon as once more rising as a key host state.
The match’s iconic trophies arrived in Shillong on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a month-long celebration of soccer and reaffirming the state’s rising prominence on India’s sporting map.
This 12 months, the match might be held throughout 5 states — West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya — with Shillong enjoying a pivotal function in internet hosting key fixtures.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Okay. Sangma mentioned: “The Durand Cup in Shillong might be even larger this time than final 12 months.”
The official trophy roadshow was flagged off from the State Conference Centre by Chief Minister Sangma, within the presence of Sports activities Minister Shakliar Warjri, senior army officers together with Air Marshal Suraj Singh and Lieutenant Generals Sanjay Malik and Mohit Malhotra, and different dignitaries.
In his tackle, Chief Minister Sangma expressed satisfaction in Shillong as soon as once more being chosen as one of many host cities for the world’s fifth-oldest soccer match.
“Final 12 months, Shillong stood out as the most effective hosts, with electrical fan vitality and easy organisation. This time, we’re set to make it even larger, particularly with extra native groups becoming a member of in,” he mentioned.
Shillong will host eight matches, together with a quarterfinal and a semifinal, on the J.N. Sports activities Complicated between July 23 and August 23. The trophy roadshow may also journey by way of Nongstoin and Tura, providing followers throughout the state a uncommon alternative to witness soccer historical past up shut.
The opening match of the match will see Emami East Bengal FC tackle Bengaluru-based South United FC in a Group A conflict at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Huge Push for Sports activities Infrastructure
Reiterating the federal government’s dedication to sports activities improvement, the Chief Minister revealed that just about 70 % of the state’s present sports activities infrastructure has been developed within the final seven years, backed by an funding of ₹2,000 crore. Key initiatives embody the upgradation of the J.N. Sports activities Complicated, the event of the Mawdiangdiang and P.A. Sangma Sports activities Complexes, and the development of the 40,000-seater Mawkhanu Soccer Stadium — poised to be one of many largest in Asia.
“We need Shillong to be generally known as the Soccer Capital of India,” Sangma mentioned, including that each district within the state will quickly have its personal artificial athletics monitor.
Sports activities Minister Shakliar Warjri echoed the sentiment, highlighting the state’s ambition to provide Olympians. “We’re not simply constructing stadiums; we’re constructing goals,” he mentioned.
Warjri additionally introduced ₹39.17 crore in grants sanctioned for 26 sports activities associations to organize for the 2027 Nationwide Video games, with a goal of securing no less than 50 medals.
Military Praises State’s Assist
The Indian Armed Forces, organisers of the Durand Cup, praised the Meghalaya authorities for its logistical help and hospitality — together with the choice to host an invited overseas workforce freed from value — a gesture reflecting the state’s world sporting outlook.
“Bringing the Durand Cup again to Shillong is feasible due to the Authorities of Meghalaya’s wholehearted help,” mentioned Lieutenant Normal Sanjay Malik. “The trophy roadshow will definitely encourage a brand new technology of footballers.”
First performed in 1888 in Shimla, the Durand Cup was based by Sir Mortimer Durand, then International Secretary of British India. Initially a contest amongst British Indian Military regiments, the match has since developed right into a premier nationwide soccer occasion, attracting prime golf equipment from throughout the nation.
Additionally Learn: State Human Rights seeks report on alleged police torture of youth at Sohra PS by July 31
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