23-07-2025
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee kickstarts 134th Durand Cup with grand ceremony
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the historic 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, with a spectacular opening ceremony at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. This year's event comes with the prize money being increased almost three times, with the winners taking home a whopping 3 crore who traditionally launches this iconic tournament, was back this year after missing season's event due to official duties in Delhi. She formally kicked off the tournament by taking a symbolic shot at the ball, and joined at the event by Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, Fire Minister Sujit Bose, and Minister of State for Sports Manoj Tiwary, along with senior Indian Army West Bengal Chief Minister spoke about the rich history of the Durand Cup, one of the oldest football tournaments in the world, which was first held in 1888. Banerjee also said she was proud to see four teams from Kolkata take part in the tournament this year.
'Especially since it began in Bengal, and this time, four teams from Bengal are participating, we are proud,' she however, didn't entertain any questions about the Indian Super League, which has been put on hold at the moment. 'Please don't ask me about that here. This is not the right place.'The opening ceremony saw a flypast by three Indian army helicopters, and also featured dancers performing to a song written by Mamata Banerjee herself. Various army divisions showcased diverse dance forms like Bhangra, Rabindra Nritya, and the Khukuri dance during the ceremony as well. A total of 24 teams will take part in the tournament this year, along with two teams from Nepal and Malaysia. The final of the tournament will take place on August 23 Durand Cup 2025: Teams and groupsGroup A: East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, Namdhari FC, South United FCGroup B: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mohammedan SC, Diamond Harbour FC, Border Security Force FTGroup C: Jamshedpur FC, Tribhuvan Army FT, Indian Army FT, 1 Ladakh FCGroup D: Punjab FC, ITBP FT, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, Bodoland FCGroup E: Shillong Lajong FC, NorthEast United FC, Malaysian Armed Forces, Rangdajied United FCGroup F: TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, Real Kashmir FC, Indian Navy FT- Ends
