New Delhi, Aug 30: The 128th Edition of Durand Football Tournament commenced on Sunday evening (28 August 2016) with Opening Ceremony organized at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of Air Staff & Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee along with Gen Dalbir Singh, the Chief of the Army Staff other senior civil & military dignitaries. The stadium was packed to full capacity to witness the cultural programmes as well as inaugural match between SC De Goa & DSK Shivajians.
The proceedings commenced with all participating teams marching to the Durand Song. The other cultural programmes included Mass band display, traditional Maratha gymnastics Malkhamb, Kerala’s Karalipayattu martial art display and North – East Warrior show. School children of APS Dhaula kuan & APS Delhi Cantt also mesmerized the crowd with their song & dance routine.
The Chief Guest addressed the gathering and declared the tournament open. DSK Shivajians won the inaugural match.
This Edition will see eight premier Football teams and four Services teams battling it out to win the coveted Durand Cup. The eight teams are the SC De Goa, Aizawl FC, DSK Shivajians, Dempo SC, Minerva FA, Neroca FC, Gangtok Himalayan & Real Kashmir FC. The Services teams comprise of Army Red & Green Teams, Indian Navy & Air Force teams.
The teams have been divided into two pools as per their latest rankings and matches will be played on League cum knock out basis. The matches are scheduled to be played at both Ambedkar & Harbaksh Stadium, Delhi Cantonment from 28 Aug to 11 Sep 2016.
The Prize money for this Edition is kept at Rs 75 lacs. The Durand Football Tournament Society has taken painstaking efforts in putting up the show with its traditional & historic charm.
