Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: The Imphal leg of the 134th Durand Cup Trophy Tour wrapped up in grand style today, marking a vibrant build-up to one of Asia’s oldest and most prestigious football tournaments.
The trophy tour, flagged off from the scenic Sendra at Loktak Lake, was jointly inaugurated by India’s Olympic weightlifting star and Padma Shri awardee Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC 3 Corps. Organised by the Indian Army with support from the Government of Manipur, the tour passed through key points in the city before culminating at the City Convention Centre in Konung Mamang.
Addressing the gathering, Chanu thanked the organisers for selecting Manipur as one of the host cities, calling it a proud moment for the state during challenging times. She described the Durand Cup’s arrival as a huge boost for football lovers and an inspiration for young athletes to pursue sports with discipline and dedication — values she credited for her own success on the world stage.
The culmination ceremony saw a strong turnout, with the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, attending as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Chief Secretary P.K. Singh, Lt. Gen. Mohit Malhotra — Vice Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee and Chief of Staff Eastern Command — Lt. Gen. Abhijit S. Pendharkar, GOC 57 Mountain Division Major General S.S. Kartikeya, IGAR (South) Major General Ravrooo Singh, IGAR (East) Major General S.K. Bhambhu, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Manipur Rajiv Singh, IPS. Students, football enthusiasts, celebrities and media personnel also witnessed the official showcasing of the iconic trophy.
This year’s Durand Cup, in its 134th edition, will be played across five cities — Kolkata, Shillong, Jamshedpur, Kokrajhar, and Imphal. Local fans will get to cheer for home teams TRAU FC and NEROCA FC, who will face off against Indian Navy FT and Real Kashmir FC in Group F. All matches will be held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on July 30, August 1, 4, 7, 10, and 12, with kick-off at 4:00 PM.
With the Trophy Tour now complete, football fever is set to grip the city as fans eagerly await top-tier action and an electric atmosphere at the iconic Imphal venue.
