The prestigious Durand Cup Football Tournament is set to return to Kokrajhar for the third consecutive year, reaffirming the town’s growing status as the “football city” of Assam. The 134th edition of the tournament, sponsored by Indian Oil, will kick off on July 27 at the SAI Stadium, with preparations in the final stages.
Organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Government, the tournament will open with a grand inaugural ceremony, featuring cultural performances and exhibitions celebrating regional heritage. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BTR Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, and senior officials from the Indian Army are expected to grace the opening event.
The Kokrajhar leg will witness four teams competing in the group stage:
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Bodoland FC (the home team)
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Punjab FC
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ITBP FT (Indo-Tibetan Border Police Football Team)
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Karbi Anglong Morning Star
The opening match on July 27 will see ITBP FT take on Karbi Anglong Morning Star. Six league matches are scheduled between July 27 and August 12, followed by a quarter-final match on August 16.
“We are proud to host the Durand Cup once again in Kokrajhar. This reflects the town’s growing significance in Indian football and showcases our commitment to sports development in the Northeast,” said Dr. Sangrang Brahma, General Secretary of the Assam Football Association.
The return of the Durand Cup is being hailed as a major boost to sports infrastructure and youth engagement in the region. It underlines Kokrajhar’s emerging role as a nurturing ground for football talent in Northeast India and reinforces efforts to integrate the region into the national sports landscape.
Security and organizing teams are working round-the-clock to ensure the success of the event, which has steadily gained prominence as a cultural and sporting highlight for Assam.
