Team Herald
PANJIM: The Durand Cup evokes many memories. Goan fans do not have to look too much into the past for an endearing one – that of Edu Bedia’s 105th minute strike that helped the Gaurs get the better of Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting and lay their hands on the trophy for the first time ever at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on October 3 last year.
Fittingly, the honour of unveiling the Durand Cup was bestowed on Goa. The ceremony on Tuesday was a culmination of the trophy tour that began in Kolkata on July 19 and took place at Dona Paula in the presence Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Goa for Tourism, Information Technology and Printing and Stationery.
Also present at the function were Lt Gen K. K. Repswal, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command and Chairman Durand Organising Committee.
Addressing the gathering, Rohan Khaunte, said, “Goa is synonymous with football and it is yet another moment of pride for Goan football to host the three historic Durand Cup trophies. The passionate following for the game in the state will ensure that the Trophies are received with tremendous enthusiasm wherever they go.
Also sharing his thoughts was Lt. Gen. Repswal, SM, VSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command and Chairman Durand Organising Committee.
“Football in India without Goa is unthinkable and it gives us tremendous pleasure to bring the prestigious Durand Trophies to the home of the champions FC Goa,” he said.
Akshay Tandon, FC Goa Club President and co-owner said: “I’m elated to see the Durand Cup Trophy Tour happen in Goa. The state, as you all know, is a hotbed of football in the country. The people of Goa love the sport and we at FC Goa are working hard for its betterment.”
The trophy tour was a prelude to the 131st edition of the blue riband of Indian football, first held in Shimla in 1888. The Durand Cup has grown to 20 teams from 16 last year and all 11 teams of the Indian Super League (ISL) have confirmed participation. Five teams from the I-League and four Services teams will also be vying for the coveted honours. FC Goa are in Group ‘A’ alongside Mohammedan SC, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and Indian Air Force
West Bengal hosts Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ matches while Imphal and Guwahati will entertain teams in Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ respectively. All seven knockout games will be held across the three venues in West Bengal. The final is at VYBK on September 18,
Goa was the final stop of a five-city trophy tour, a first. It went through Guwahati, Imphal and Jaipur before arriving in Goa.
The three trophies, the Durand Cup, Shimla Trophy and President’s Cup continue their tour of Goa on August 3, with Trophy displays planned at the Dhempe College in Miramar, the MES College in Vasco, at the INS Hansa, the Panjim Church as well as the Mall de Goa in Porvorim.
They are then set to return to Kolkata on August 4, 2022.