134th Durand Cup Kicks Off with Grand Opening Ceremony in Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar: The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournament, was formally inaugurated on Sunday with a grand opening ceremony at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, marking a significant milestone for Assam and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

According to a release by the Durand Cup, the high-energy event was graced by several prominent dignitaries, including Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, former Prime Minister of Bhutan; Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council; and Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Assam Minister for Handloom, Textiles, and BTR Welfare. Also in attendance were MPs Rwngwra Narzary and Joyanta Basumatary, along with legendary Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri. Top-ranking military officials including Lieutenant General R C Tiwari, Major General Rajesh Arun Moghe, and Lt Gen Gambhir Singh lent ceremonial grandeur to the event, highlighting the tournament’s deep-rooted military legacy.

The stadium buzzed with a record crowd of over 14,000 spectators, as military discipline merged with local cultural vibrancy, creating an electric atmosphere. The day also featured the opening Pool D match between ITBP FC and Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, kicking off Kokrajhar’s third consecutive year as a host city for the prestigious tournament.

The successful launch has set the stage for a thrilling month of football, further cementing Kokrajhar’s growing reputation as a vibrant football hub in the Northeast.