Shillong, July 11: The three iconic trophies of the 135th Durand Cup arrived in Shillong, marking the beginning of another exciting chapter for one of Asia’s oldest and the world’s third-oldest football tournaments.
The trophies will be touring Shillong City, Jowai, and Tura, allowing the public to have a closer view of Asia’s oldest trophies before the l tournament starts. The trophy showcase and flagging off ceremony kicked off from the venue at the State Convention Centre in the presence of Wailadmiki Shylla, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs; Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa,,GOC 101 Area; Air Marshal Devendra P Hirani, Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), Eastern Air Command (EAC), Shillong; Idashisha Nongrang, DGP, Meghalaya Police; Major General D.K. Singh, Bengal Sub Area and Vice Chairman, DCOC; Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs; along with several senior military officers, officials, representatives of participating teams, and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Shylla, expressed pride in Shillong hosting another season of the 135th Edition of the Durand Cup. He stated, “Football is not merely a game in Meghalaya—it is part of our identity. It is played in every village, every school, every town and every district. It unites communities, inspires our youth and brings immense pride to our state.” He expressed his gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces and the Durand Cup Organising Committee for their continued trust in Meghalaya, while conveying the State’s aspiration to host the Durand Cup final in the years ahead.
He stated that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister, the Government has made sports a key pillar of Meghalaya’s development agenda, viewing it as an investment in the state’s youth and future. He noted that over 35,000 participants now take part in sporting events across the state annually, and that Meghalaya has successfully hosted more than 14 national and international sporting events since 2022 reinforcing its emergence as a leading sports destination. Shylla further noted that the government’s investments in sports infrastructure are creating new opportunities for young athletes while boosting employment, tourism and sports opportunities for the youth.
The state has been investing in world-class infrastructure, athlete development programmes and grassroots sporting initiatives to create an ecosystem where young athletes can compete, excel, and pursue professional careers in the field of sports.
The long-term vision of the government is to harness sports as a powerful driver for inclusive development, which is being strengthened with different infrastructural initiatives undertaken, such as the upcoming Mawkhanu Football Stadium, which is poised to be India’s largest football stadium; ongoing upgrades to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, and other sporting infrastructures for Meghalaya to emerge as one of the premier sporting destinations in India.
Isawanda Laloo, Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Affairs stated, “Being entrusted with hosting the Durand Cup for the third year in succession is a matter of great pride. More importantly, it reflects the growing confidence in Meghalaya’s administrative capabilities, its sporting infrastructure and its unwavering commitment to delivering sporting excellence of the highest standards.”
She said under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister and the continued guidance of the Sports Minister, sports has emerged as one of the key pillars of Meghalaya’s development agenda. As the State prepares to host the 39th National Games next year, she said the Government has adopted a long-term approach that extends beyond hosting sporting events, with a focus on building an inclusive sporting ecosystem where quality infrastructure, athlete development, coaching programmes, institutional partnerships and good governance come together to create sustainable opportunities for sport. “Our aspiration is to see our athletes stand on podiums and bring home medals for the state and the country,” she said .
The 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup comes at a historic moment for Meghalaya, ahead of hosting the prestigious 39th National Games in 2027. The government has allocated Rs 1800 crore as investment in sports infrastructure, backed by a Rs 844 crore budget for sports for the current fiscal year. These initiatives prove that the state is not only upgrading infrastructure but also setting a long-term legacy of sports excellence across the Northeast.
Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa noted that Meghalaya has become an important part of the Durand Cup’s journey. He stated that Shillong has firmly established itself as one of the tournament’s key venues, owing to its vibrant football culture and the unwavering support of its fans. He added that the continued collaboration and wholehearted support extended by the Government of Meghalaya have been instrumental in successfully hosting the tournament and strengthening Shillong’s position as a premier destination for Indian football.
Lieutenant General Wadhwa also expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, for his vision and commitment towards sports development, stating that the government’s sustained investments in sports infrastructure have created an enabling environment for hosting marquee sporting events such as the Durand Cup and have further reinforced Meghalaya’s readiness to host the 39th National Games next year.
This year’s Durand Cup will also witness three local homegrown teams from Meghalaya – Shillong Lajong FC, Nongkseh SS&CC and Langsning FC participating at the tournament. Durand Cup 2026, scheduled from July 25 to August 23, 2026, will span across five states – West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya. Shillong will host eight matches, including a quarterfinal and a semifinal, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
