Times of India | 15 hours ago | 03-08-2022 | 02:40 am
Panaji: The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, had 16 teams taking part in 2021 and 20 teams in this year’s edition that kicks off in less than a fortnight.Next year, the tournament could be even bigger, according to the organisers.“Last year there were lot of clubs who we were requesting to take part,” said Lt. Gen. KK Repswal, SM, VSM, Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command and chairman, Durand Organising Committee. “This year, they have been approaching us, but unfortunately we have not been able to accommodate (them). This year we have 20 teams, which includes all 11 teams from ISL and five from I-League. Clubs like Minerva, CRPF, Assam Rifles, we could not accommodate. Next year there is greater scope that this can be a 24 or 28 team tournament.For the first 52 years since its inception (1888-1939), the tournament was held in Shimla, before being shifted to Delhi in 1940 where it was played for the next 74 years. With former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar taking over as Union defence minister, the Durand Cup was moved to Goa for the first time in 2014, and after a year, the tournament found a new home in Bengal.The Durand Cup organisers have an understanding with the state government in Bengal to host the tournament for five years. But while Assam and Manipur have been added to the new states who will host the Durand Cup this year – though just one group each – more states are likely to be added to the list in 2023.“We have a good scope of having this Cup on the lines of IPL (T20 cricket). This can be IPL of football. Next year, we must plan for a pool in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur and probably Mizoram as well. (FC Goa president) Akshay (Tandon) was saying why not Goa, so we can have a pool here. We can make it a multi-city tournament like IPL,” Lt. Gen. KK Repswal said during the unveiling of the Durand Cup trophies in the city on Tuesday.The chairman of the Durand Organising Committee said the tournament was moved out of Delhi in 2014 because it did not get adequate response from the fans. Bengal, on the other hand, has been a good experience with 45,000 fans in attendance for last year’s final between FC Goa and Mohammedan Sporting at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan also known as the Salt Lake stadium.Last year’s finalists will now play the opener on August 16.Twenty teams will battle for top honours in this edition of the Durand Cup with Rajasthan United becoming the first team from Rajasthan in 42 years to take part.The trophies are also on display for the first time across the country.“This is the first time that we took a decision that the three trophies (President's Cup, Shimla Cup and the Durand Cup) are moved to different cities where events are held or where football teams are taking part. The idea is that the football fans and other civilians are able to have a look at these historic trophies,” said Lt. Gen. KK Repswal.
Tagged: |