UditVani, Jamshedpur : In a grand ceremony held at the XLRI Auditorium here today, the trophy of the 134th edition of the historic Durand Cup was officially unveiled in Jamshedpur.
The event was graced by Governor of Jharkhand, Santosh Gangwar, as chief guest, and Minister for School Education & Literacy, Ramdas Soren, as guest of honour.
The program was organized by the Indian Armed Forces, with the active support of the Government of Jharkhand, and witnessed the presence of top district officials including Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey, Director of Sports (Jharkhand) Shekhar Jamuar, Army officers Mohan Malhotra and Paramjit Singh Dagar, representatives from Tata Steel, and a large gathering of sports enthusiasts and dignitaries.
In his address, Governor Gangwar described the Durand Cup as a matter of great pride for the state. He emphasized that such events enhance sports culture, discipline, and unity among the youth.
He stated that tournaments like the Durand Cup serve as inspiration for young players and contribute to the growth of sporting infrastructure.
Referring to India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, the Governor said that Jharkhand’s youth are increasingly making their mark at national and international levels.
He congratulated the Indian Army and local administration for their efforts and conveyed his best wishes to all participating teams.
Minister Ramdas Soren, in his remarks, highlighted the state government’s initiatives under its new sports policy, which aims to empower players and encourage talent across various disciplines.
He called the hosting of a prestigious tournament like the Durand Cup in Jharkhand a proud milestone and reiterated the government’s commitment to developing sports through consistent policy support.
The cultural segment of the event celebrated India’s unity in diversity, with captivating performances of Chhau and Santhali dances representing Jharkhand’s rich heritage, and an energetic Bhangra performance by soldiers of the Indian Army.
Dignitaries were honored with footballs as mementos in recognition of their support for the event.
This is the second time Jamshedpur has been selected as a host city for the Durand Cup, which boasts a 134-year-old legacy.
Matches will be held at the JRD Tata Sports Complex from July 24 to August 11, 2025, featuring teams such as Jamshedpur FC, Indian Army FT, Tribhuvan Army FC (Nepal), and 1 Ladakh FC.
To further build enthusiasm, a Trophy Tour is being conducted in various parts of Jamshedpur on July 7 and 8, drawing an enthusiastic response from the public and football fans across the city.
