With Uncertain Future, Legacy Tournament Durand Cup Shows Indian Football Light

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 20:37 IST

The Durand Cup Organising Committee announced that the total cash prize money pool of this year’s tournament will increase three times to ₹3 Crore.

Durand Cup, (left) the Shimla Trophy (right) and the President’s Cup (News18.com/Ritayan Basu)

Indian football is in its darkest phase in some time, with uncertainty of the future, and it is the legacy of the past, with the Durand Cup, that comes to show the way.

The third oldest football tournament in the world is back with its 134th edition, and for the first time, it will be held across five states. Kokrajhar in Assam (for the third consecutive year), Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, Shillong in Meghalaya (for the second year running), Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal (for the sixth consecutive edition), and the returning is capital of Manipur, Imphal (back after a two-year hiatus), owing to ethnic violence.

Lt. Gen. Mohit Malhotra, AVSM SM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, and Chairman of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, though, assured calm.

“Let me assure you that all the measures that are required are in place in Manipur for a safe conduct of the tournament for everybody," he said at the trophy unveiling ceremony in Kolkata on Friday.

Lt Gen Malhotra also took the opportunity to announce that the total cash prize money pool of the Durand Cup this year will increase three times to ₹3 Crore.

“I am delighted to announce that this year the tournament has significantly ramped up its prize structure, from under ₹1.2 Cr in the past to over ₹3 Cr now. In addition, three brand-new SUVs for the three individual award winners (like the Best Goalkeeper, Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners) will also be presented," he announced.

Which Teams Are Participating In Durand Cup?

Defending champions Northeast United, along with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC, Jamshedpur FC, and Punjab FC, will participate – six of 13 Indian Super League sides.

Lt. Gen. Malhotra also weighed in on the ongoing issues at the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stating, “It’s all in front of you."

“It won’t be appropriate for us to comment on this, but what we are certain of is that both parties are committed to the development of Indian football, and we hope the matter will be resolved soon.

“As far as the Durand Cup is concerned, we have received tremendous support from FSDL and the AIFF over the years, and we remain thankful to them," he added.

The Malaysian Armed Forces and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army are the invited foreign sides.

Maj. Gen. Rajesh Arun Moghe added, “We are also proud to provide a platform for four promising grassroots teams in 1-Ladakh FC, South United FC, Bodoland FC, and Rangdajied United FC."

From the I-League, Namari FC, Real Kashmir FC, Diamond Harbour FC and Shillong Lajong FC. Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC of Assam, along with Manipur’s TRAU and NEROCA, are representing I-League 2.

The group stage has six groups of four teams each, with each group playing six matches. Six group winners and two best second-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 16th and 17th. The semifinals are set for August 19th and 20th, leading up to the final on Saturday, August 23rd. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the tournament in Kolkata.

Kolkata will host two groups at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) and the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK), with a total of 15 matches, including a quarterfinal, semifinal, and the final also to be played in the city.

The winning team will be invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President will hand over the President’s Cup.

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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Location :

Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India

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