On July 27, the 134th Indian Oil Durand Cup had its outstanding opening ceremony at Kokrajhar’s SAI Stadium in Assam, celebrating the city’s victorious comeback as host for the third year in a row.
Opening Day Highlights
Group D opener: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP FT) edged past Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2–1 in a thrilling season debut.
Iconic presence: Football legend Sunil Chhetri lauded the pitch quality and the overwhelming crowd support during the event.
Dignitaries in attendance: The guest list included BTC Chief Pramod Boro, former Bhutan PM Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, Assam minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, MPs Rwngwra Narzary and Joyanta Basumatary, alongside senior Army leaders Lt Gen R.C. Tiwari and Maj Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe
Spectacle & Culture
The vibrant ceremony blended military precision and regional culture, featuring:
- Fly-pasts by fighter jets and helicopters
- Paragliding, hot air balloons, jazz and pipe bands
- Traditional performances including Bihu, Bagrumba, Chhau dance, Gorkhali drill and Kalaripayattu
A record attendance of over 14,000 fans created an electric atmosphere, reflecting the community’s passion for football and regional pride.
Tournament Overview
Duration: July 23 to August 23, 2025
Venues: Five cities – Kokrajhar, Shillong, Imphal, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata
Teams: 24 teams including ISL clubs, I-League, state league champions, and armed forces clubs (Nepal and Malaysia among guest teams).
Venue capacity at Kokrajhar: SAI Stadium holds around 10,000 fans, with seven matches scheduled including a quarter-final from Group D on August 16.
Prize money: Total purse has tripled to ₹3 crore this edition.
Final: Scheduled for August 23 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium