State clears deck to host Durand Cup
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 27 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh today unveiled the trophies for the 131st edition of the Durand Cup 2022 at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
He also appealed to the people of the State to come out and enjoy the matches and encourage the players and organizers of the Cup, who have brought the Cup to the State to provide exposure to the State's sporting talents.
For the first time, Imphal will host 10 group matches of the Durand Cup, the oldest football tournament in Asia, from August 18 to September 5.Notably, the 131st edition of the Cup will be played in Manipur, Assam and West Bengal.
In what is also' a historic moment for the State, all three Durand trophies, the President's Cup, the Durand Cup and the Shimla Trophy have reached Imphal and were unveiled by the Chief Minister during the day's ceremony.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Chief Minister said it is indeed a matter of great pride and privilege to be present at the monumental event of unveiling ceremony of trophies for the 131st edition of the Durand Cup, 2022 .
He thanked the Indian Army and the organizers of the Cup for bringing the iconic tournament to the "Football passionate State of Manipur".
"I wish the 131st edition of Durand Cup 2022 all the very best and I assure all support in making the tournament bigger and better than the previous years", he said.
He said Manipur is one of the States producing the highest number of Indian Super League players.
Stating that he had himself played in the tournament as a left defender for BSF in the 1981 edition in which his team won the trophy at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that Durand Cup matches happening in Imphal is like personally walking down memory lane.
The Chief Minister wished success to the participating teams and also commended YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam and his team for their efforts.
N Biren Singh added that 10 league matches will be played in Imphal and highlighted the sacrifices of the Indian Army for the Nation.
The Chief Minister said that to further strengthen the bond with the Armed Forces, the Cabinet reviewed the remuneration awarded for gallantry award winners of the Armed Forces.
'Earlier, only a small amount was awarded but we have significantly enhanced this time to Rs 25 lakh', he maintained.
Adding that Manipur has the highest per capita officers in Armed Forces in the country, he congratulated the Red Shield Division in their initiative to launch an outreach program to train and groom the youth of Manipur for entry into ND A, IMA and OTA and further assured assistance to the Red Shield Division.
Lauding the State's sporting prowess, the Chief Minister said Manipuri sportspersons participate in various disciplines and bring laurels for the Nation.
The unveiling ceremony was also attended by Minister Youth Affairs and Sports, Govindas Konthoujam, Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, Lieutenant General KK Repswal, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command and Chairman Durand Organising Committee, Major General Navin Sachdeva, Major General Sharawat, IGAR (South), Lieutenant General (Retd) K Himalaya Singh, distinguished guests from military and State administration, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Footballer O Bembem, Padma Shri Awardee Rewben Mashangva and former Indian National player P Renedy Singh among others.
It is worth noting that the 131st edition-of the Durand Cup will be played at the five venues of Khuman Lampak Stadium (Imphal), Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (Guwahati), Naihati Stadium (Naihati), Kishore Bharati Krirangan and Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Kolkata).
Altogether 20 teams, including defending champions FC Goa and runners up from last year, Mohammedan Sporting, 11 teams from the Indian Super League, four Services team, NEROA FC, TRAU FC, SUDEVA FC of Delhi and Rajasthan United FC will play in this edition of the Durand Cup.
Comment
