Shillong, July 31: The Shillong chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup commenced in grand style at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo Ground, on Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony celebrating the rich military traditions of the Indian Armed Forces, Meghalaya’s vibrant cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of Asia’s oldest football tournament.
The event, organised by the Indian Armed Forces with the support of the Government of Meghalaya, marked the beginning of the Shillong leg of the tournament ahead of the opening Group E match between Shillong Lajong FC and Nongkseh Sports & Social Cultural Club (SS&CC).
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar as the Chief Guest, along with Ministers Marcuise N. Marak and Lahkmen Rymbui, senior state officials, top military commanders, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors and members of the football fraternity.
Bollywood actor and NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham was also present during the opening ceremony.
The celebrations began with a presentation showcasing highlights of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup and its Trophy Tour, followed by an impressive musical performance featuring Army Brass, Pipe and Jazz Bands. The arrival of the dignitaries was accompanied by traditional drumming and bagpipe performances.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar was presented with a commemorative memento featuring a painting created by students of ASHA schools, while Lieutenant General V.M. Bhuvana Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, received a replica of Meghalaya’s iconic living root bridges.
The ceremony also featured a series of military and cultural displays, including a Gatka martial arts performance, Khukri Dance, combat free-fall skydiving demonstrations, and an Advanced Light Helicopter aerial display. The Indian Air Force’s Akash Ganga para-drop team also thrilled spectators with a precision parachute display.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, renowned local artistes Gracyl Ropmay, Ahaia Sangma, Cynda Guri Sangma, Donion Azar Laloo, Alessandra Chettri Thomas, along with the Khmih Creative Society Choir, performed a musical ensemble celebrating Meghalaya’s rich musical tradition and Shillong’s identity as India’s music capital.
One of the highlights of the evening was the ceremonial display of the tournament’s three prestigious trophies—the Durand Cup, President’s Cup, and Simla Trophy—alongside the official match ball. The Eastern Command Flag, Durand Cup Flag and AIFF Fair Play Flag were then marched onto the field before the arrival of the competing teams.
The dignitaries later met the players of Shillong Lajong FC and Nongkseh SS&CC, interacted with them on the field and posed for a group photograph before the opening match got underway.
The opening ceremony marked Shillong’s third consecutive year as a host city for the Durand Cup, reinforcing Meghalaya’s growing prominence in Indian football while showcasing the unique blend of sport, military tradition and cultural heritage that defines the historic tournament.
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest surviving football tournament. The 135th edition is being hosted across Shillong, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ranchi and Imphal, featuring 24 teams, including a team from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, competing in 43 matches across six venues.
