Kokrajhar: The historic Durand Cup Football Tournament is all set to return to Kokrajhar for the third consecutive year, reaffirming the town’s status as the “football city” of Assam. The 134th edition, sponsored by Indian Oil, will kick off on July 27 at the SAI Stadium, with final preparations nearing completion.
Organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Government, the tournament promises a grand opening ceremony featuring cultural performances and exhibitions. Security forces and organising teams are working round-the-clock to ensure the event runs smoothly. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BTR Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, and senior Indian Army officials are expected to attend the inaugural ceremony.
The Kokrajhar leg of the tournament will feature four teams:
Bodoland FC (home team)
Punjab FC
ITBP FT (Indo-Tibetan Border Police Football Team)
Karbi Anglong Morning Star
The opening match on July 27 will see ITBP FT face off against Karbi Anglong Morning Star. A total of six league matches will be played from July 27 to August 12, followed by a quarter-final match on August 16. Dr. Sangrang Brahma, General Secretary of the Assam Football Association, lauded the event, stating, “We are proud to host the Durand Cup once again in Kokrajhar. This reflects the town’s growing significance in Indian football and showcases our commitment to sports development in the Northeast.”
The tournament’s return is seen as a major boost to sports infrastructure and youth engagement in the region, further solidifying Kokrajhar’s role in nurturing football talent in Northeast India.