Kolkata has been now formally confirmed as the house of the Durand Cup – the oldest membership soccer match in Asia, for the following 5 editions. Addressing the media at Fort William through the unveiling of the enduring Durand Cup trophies, Lt General Kamal Repswal (Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command) made the announcement confirming the City of Joy as hosts.
“The 129th version of the Durand Cup was held in Kolkata in 2019. The sort of response the match obtained in Kolkata was immense, with super quantity of assist from the state authorities. I need to point out it as a result of each division of the state govt. went out of their approach to make sure the match turns into successful.
“You will all be very happy to know that for the next five years, Durand Cup will be conducted in Kolkata.”
Aroop Biswas (Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs of West Bengal) clarified attendance norms for the a hundred and thirtieth Durand Cup and talked about that there will likely be minimal attendance within the stands originally of the match, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The WB Govt. has allowed 50% capacity inside stadiums but the Durand Cup tournament committee, in light of the pandemic, has decided to allow minimal attendance and then gradually towards the end of the tournament, if everything goes well, we will allow 50% attendance in compliance with government norms during the latter stages”, he stated.
(L-R) Mr. Subrata Biswas, Additional Chief Secretary, Dept of Youth Service and Sports, Govt. of West Bengal, Mr. Manoj Tiwari, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Govt. of West Bengal, Shri Aroop Biswas, Hon’ble Minister, Dept of Power, Youth Service and Sports, Government of West Bengal, Lt General KK Repswal SM,VSM, Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command, Chairman, Durand Cup, Commodore Rituraj Sahu, Naval Officer in Charge (WBG), Gp Capt S Thukchum, Station Commander, Advance HQ EAC.
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, will likely be in attendance for the inauguration and opening match of the a hundred and thirtieth Durand Cup on September 5 at Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan (VYBK).
Only behind the English FA Cup and Scottish Cup (beginning in 1871 and 1874 respectively) when it comes to inception, the first-ever Durand Cup came about in 1888 – making it the oldest-running membership soccer match on the planet, and the oldest-running soccer match in Asia.
In the earlier 129th version, held for the primary time within the metropolis, Gokulam Kerala emerged champions, beating Mohun Bagan 2-1 in entrance of a packed stadium, to register their first silverware in membership historical past.
The Teams
A complete of 16 groups are vying for the a hundred and thirtieth Durand Cup Champions title and apart from the defending champions, ISL franchise Kerala Blasters are the second group from the southernmost State recognized for its soccer fanaticism.
The ISL is represented with Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC becoming a member of the Blasters.
The century-old Mohammedan Sporting, the match’s first Indian winner, will characterize the native problem together with fellow I-Leaguers Sudeva FC of Delhi and Gokulam Kerala.
A second group from Delhi and Bengaluru, Delhi FC and Bengaluru United carry up the second division problem whereas the Army additionally has two groups within the type of Army Green and Army Red.
The Indian Air Force, The Indian Navy, The Assam Rifles and CRPF are the opposite 4 groups within the match to be performed from September 5-October 3, 2021.
A Rich Heritage
Traditionally organized by the Indian Army on behalf of our Armed Forces, this yr onwards the Government of West Bengal will be part of as joint-hosts. Shimla served as hosts within the earlier years of the Durand Cup earlier than the match shifted base to New Delhi in 1940. In 2019 nevertheless, the match returned after a three-year absence however to its latest house – Kolkata.
General MM Naravane #COAS conveys greatest needs to all of the groups collaborating in a hundred and thirtieth Edition of #DurandCup 2021 by a video message.@adgpi @SpokespersonMoD#DurandCup2021 pic.twitter.com/vVMn4B7Fgv
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) September 2, 2021
The Venues
Three main footballing venues of the State have been recognized for the a hundred and thirtieth Durand Cup, particularly the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) and the Mohun Bagan Club Ground in Kolkata in addition to the Kalyani Municipal Stadium Ground, which has been often internet hosting nationwide degree soccer matches over the previous few years.
About Durand Cup
A logo of India’s soccer historical past and tradition, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third oldest soccer match, held between 16 high Indian soccer golf equipment throughout divisions. Organized by the Indian Armed Forces, the Durand Cup has been the breeding floor for India’s greatest footballing expertise, through the years.
The inaugural version occurred in Shimla in 1888, when it began off as an Army Cup, open solely to the British Indian Army troops in India, however quickly opened as much as civilian groups. Named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary of British India from 1884 to 1894, the enduring match reached its a hundred and thirtieth version in 2021. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been probably the most profitable groups, successful the match 16 instances every.
