Durand Cup

Name: Durand Cup

Type:It is the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world. Established in 1888.

Founder: Started by Sir Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.

Origin: Initially organized as a recreational football competition for British Indian Army troops in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

Organizers: Currently organized by the Indian Army, in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Government of West Bengal.

Venue: Traditionally held in New Delhi, but in recent years, Kolkata has become the main host city. Participants: Features teams from the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League, and Armed Forces teams.

Trophy Structure:

The winner receives three trophies: The Durand Cup (original trophy) – a rolling trophy.

The Shimla Trophy – presented by the residents of Shimla in 1904.

The President’s Cup – introduced in 1956, presented by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Significance: Symbolizes India’s rich football heritage and military association with sports. Serves as a prestigious pre-season tournament for professional clubs.

Notable Winners: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Bengal Engineer Group (BEG) are among the most successful teams.

Recent Developments: Revived in 2019 after a brief gap. Continues to attract top Indian clubs and growing fan interest.

Motto: Promotes sportsmanship, discipline, and unity through football.