Jaipur, the vibrant pink city of Rajasthan, resonated with excitement as it played host to the magnificent 132nd Durand Cup Grand Trophy Tour. The Rajasthan International Centre came alive with energy as Major General Rai Singh Godara, GOC, 61 Sub Area, received the three gleaming trophies in a spirited ceremony. Joining him were esteemed guests, General K K Repswal, SM, VSM (Retd), and Brigadier Kuldeep Gulia (Retd), who jointly flagged off the tour.
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, Honourable Cabinet Minister of the Water Resource Department, Rajasthan Government, and Lal Chandra Katariya, Honourable Agricultural Minister, Rajasthan Government. Also in attendance were key personalities such as Dharmendra Singh Rathore, President of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Krishna Kumar Tak, Chairman of the Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC), and Ashutosh Pant, Independent Director and President of the CSR Committee at Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Rajat Mishra, Former National Footballer and Founder Director of RUFC, along with Col Navneet Thiara, Nodal Officer of the Durand Cup Committee, added to the significance of the occasion.
Jaipur proudly hosted the Durand trophies for the second consecutive year, making it the sixth destination on their nationwide tour. The trophies will travel across the country throughout this month before reaching their final destination in Kolkata on August 1, 2023.
Expressing his delight, Major General Rai Singh Godara, GOC, 61 Sub Area, stated, “We feel honored and excited to host the trophies of the Durand Cup for the second consecutive year in Jaipur. The Indian Army is always at the forefront of supporting sports and providing the best platform and facilities for sportspersons. Rajasthan United, the club from Jaipur, created waves during the previous edition of Durand, and they are set to face the best once again this year. I extend my best wishes to all the participating teams for a remarkable tournament.”
The 132nd Durand Cup is scheduled to take place in Kolkata, Guwahati, and Kokrajhar from August 3, 2023, to September 3, 2023. This edition of the prestigious tournament will feature 24 teams, including all 12 Indian Super League (ISL) sides, as well as service teams from neighboring countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The tournament will witness foreign participation after a hiatus of 27 years, adding to its historic significance. Additionally, Kokrajhar in Assam will debut as a host city, with a local Bodoland team competing for the ultimate glory.
The 132nd Durand Cup promises to be an extraordinary celebration of football, showcasing the talents of players from various teams and countries. Jaipur’s warm reception to the grand trophy tour has set the stage for an exhilarating and memorable tournament, highlighting the city’s passion for the beautiful game.