Rajnath to attend Durand Cup opener today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 17 2022: The government of Manipur has declared half-holiday for all its offices and educational institutions to enable the government employees and others to witness the inaugural match of the 131st Durand Cup, 2022 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Thursday.

In view of the arrival of de fence minister Rajnath Singh, who will be chief guest of the inaugural match, there will be diversion of traffic on certain routes.

In a notification, Press Information Bureau informed that Rajnath will be arriving Thursday on a two-day state visit during which he will witness the inaugural match of Durand Cup followed by an interaction programme with Army and Assam Rifles troops at Mantripukhri Garrison on Friday.

In another notification, General Administration Department has declared half-holiday for all government offices and educational institutions including Public Sector Undertakings/Corporations/Autonomous Bodies under the government of Manipur to enable the government employees and others to watch/witness the inaugural match.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (traffic control) has notified that certain routes would be diverted in connection with the visit of Rajnath Singh.

The SP notified that there shall be no thoroughfare from Pandon to Assam Rifle transit camp for the general public except to vehicles with car pass.

Entrance for general public in vehicle shall be at Gate No.2 near the Indoor Stadium from MMTA side.

Entrance for General Public on foot with ticket shall be at Gate No.3 and 4 along the Dinku Road and public parking for vehicles entering from Gate No.2 (near indoor Stadium) will be at the Basketball ground near Hockey Stadium and parking area opposite to Indoor stadium, the SP informed.

Ahead of Asia's oldest football competition CM N Biren on Tuesday inspected preparation of the Imphal edition of the Durand Cup.

The CM also checked the arrangements for the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Manoj Pande to the state for the inaugural match of the Manipur edition of the Cup.

The Manipur edition of the 131st Durand Cup starts with a group C match between the state-based teams of NEROCA FC and TRAU FC.

The state is hosting 10 group matches till September 5.On July 27, CM Biren had unveiled the three prestigious Durand Cup trophies in a function held at the City Convention Centre here.

The iconic Durand Cup trophies were flagged-off from Kolkata on July 19 and reached Guwahati in Assam on July 21 .

The three trophies - the Durand Cup (a rolling trophy and the original prize), the Shimla Trophy (also a rolling trophy and first given by the residents of Shimla in 1904) and the President's Cup (for permanent keep and first presented by Dr Rajendra Prasad, India's first President, in 1956) post the unveiling, were taken to the historic Imphal Polo ground where the game of Polo first originated, escorted by a spectacular 100 bikes rally.

From there it proceeded to Leimakhong military station.

The Durand Cup will feature 20-top teams of the country, including all 11 teams from the top division Indian Super League (ISL) .

There will be a total of 47 games in the 131st Durand Cup edition, with both Guwahati and Imphal hosting 10-games of group C and group D each.

All seven knockout games will be held in three venues in West Bengal.

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