President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Durand Cup 2025 trophies at a grand ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Friday.
The organisers officially kicked off preparations for Asia’s oldest football tournament, which is set to begin on July 15.
President Murmu highlights the power of sports
In her address, President Murmu emphasised the unifying power of sports, stating that it fosters discipline, determination, and team spirit.
“Sports have the unique ability to connect people, regions, and nations. In India, it plays a vital role in national integration,” she said. “When the tricolour flies at international sporting events, every Indian feels a surge of pride.”
Football is a passion, not just a sport: President Murmu
The President called football a sport that holds a special place in millions of hearts and noted that players drive the game with strategy, endurance, and teamwork.
She added that the Durand Cup not only celebrates the spirit of the game but also nurtures young footballers by offering them a national platform. She also lauded the Armed Forces for their continuous efforts in preserving and promoting the legacy of the tournament.
The President’s official X account later posted, “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.”
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled and flagged off the Trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2025 at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President said that events like the Durand Cup not only foster the spirit of the game but also help develop the next generation of… pic.twitter.com/1S0qdsZvne
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 4, 2025
Durand Cup 2025 to be played across five states
Organisers will host the 2025 edition of the Durand Cup across six venues in five states—West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand—from July 15 to August 23.
Kokrajhar in Assam will serve as a host city for the third consecutive year, while Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) and Shillong (Meghalaya), which joined the roster last year, will continue as venues.
The tournament, which moved its base from New Delhi to Kolkata in 2019, will maintain Kolkata as its central hub for the sixth straight edition.
Since relocating to the East, the Durand Cup has expanded significantly, growing from 16 to 24 teams.
It now includes all Indian Super League (ISL) clubs and has also welcomed international military teams from neighbouring countries.
Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the Durand Cup remains unique for its inclusion of Services teams alongside the nation’s top professional clubs.
Venues and defending champions
Organisers will hold the matches at the following stadiums:
- Kolkata: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan
- Jharkhand: JRD Tata Sports Complex or Morabadi Stadium
- Imphal: Khuman Lampak Stadium
- Shillong: Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium
- Kokrajhar: SAI Stadium
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