135th IndianOil Durand Cup begins in Imphal with TRAU FC vs NEROCA FC

The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup has kicked off in Imphal at the historic Khuman Lampak Stadium. The tournament opener took place on Tuesday, with heavy rain arriving just ahead of the ceremony. Even so, thousands of football fans, including young supporters and families, gathered inside the stadium for the start of the event.

Inaugural ceremony at Khuman Lampak Stadium

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh were present for the inaugural ceremony. The programme included colourful cultural performances by artists from Manipur and other parts of India. The stadium, which is among the main venues for large crowds, erupted in cheers as security forces staged an aerial display and a paragliding demonstration during the opening festivities.

Opening match and Manipur’s Durand Cup run

The opening match of the Durand Cup in Imphal was played between two prominent homegrown clubs, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC. The event marks the second consecutive Durand Cup held in Manipur, building on the previous edition that brought the tournament to the state again.

The 135th Durand Cup will run from July 25 to August 23 across multiple cities, including Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati, and Ranchi. In Manipur, the tournament schedule at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium includes group-stage matches from July 28 to August 12. Organisers said six group-stage matches will be played at the venue during this period.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Governor announced a half holiday for both government and private sectors. The decision was made to encourage more people to take part in and follow the football tournament in the state. With Manipur set to host its matches at Khuman Lampak Stadium, the Durand Cup is expected to keep football focus strong across the region during the coming weeks.