Droupadi Murmu flags off 134th Durand Cup trophies at the Rashtrapati Bhawan
Droupadi Murmu
, recently flagged off the three iconic Durand Cup trophies from the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre (RBCC), formally marking the commencement of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup – Asia's oldest and India's most prestigious football tournament.This is the second consecutive year the President has performed this symbolic gesture, reaffirming the Cup's enduring significance as a unique confluence of sport, service and nationhood.
The ceremony also continues a proud post-independence tradition of the Supreme Commander's direct association with the Durand Cup.
The ceremony at the RBCC saw the presence of General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff and Lt General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron, Durand Cup Organizing Committee (DCOC).
Also gracing the occasion was Arjuna Award recipient and renowned Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan.
Speaking at the occasion, President Murmu acknowledged the Durand Cup as a living symbol of India's footballing heritage and Armed Forces' sporting commitment, and said, 'Football has a special place in the hearts of millions. It is not just a sport; it is a passion. The game of football is all about strategy, endurance and working together towards a common goal.
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Events like the Durand Cup not only foster the spirit of the game but also help develop the next generation of football players, providing them with a platform to grow.
She appreciated the role of the Armed Forces in keeping alive and promoting the spirit of the Durand Cup.'
Lt General RC Tiwari, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Patron, DCOC, in his address, also reiterated Durand's importance for young football talent in the country saying, 'The Durand Cup, conducted by the Indian Army on behalf of the Armed Forces, is far more than a football tournament.
It is a celebration of India's unity in diversity, of our belief in character through competition, and of our duty to nurture the next generation through the timeless values of teamwork, discipline and resilience.
'
This year for the first time ever, Durand Cup is being played across five states – West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur. Also, at a time when Indian football is searching for fresh heroes and renewed belief, the Durand Cup continues to serve as a nation-building platform – a competitive crucible where aspiring footballers from academies, Services teams and state clubs from the remotest corners of the Nation can rise, shine and inspire.
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