The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup 2026 kicked off at Imphal’s historic Khuman Lampak Stadium on Tuesday, despite heavy rain just ahead of the opening ceremony. Thousands of football enthusiasts, young and old alike, thronged the stadium to witness the opening match between two of Manipur’s prominent homegrown football clubs, TRAU FC and NEROCA FC. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh graced the inaugural ceremony of the Durand Cup, one of Asia’s oldest football tournaments.
The opening ceremony featured colourful cultural performances by artists from Manipur and other parts of the country, highlighting the nation’s rich cultural diversity. The packed Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, with a capacity of over 35,000 spectators, erupted in cheers as security forces put on a spectacular aerial display and paragliding demonstration, adding excitement and grandeur to the opening festivities. This is the second consecutive Durand Cup held in Manipur.
The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup is being held from July 25 to August 23 across Kolkata, Shillong, Imphal, Guwahati and Ranchi. In Manipur, six group-stage matches will be played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium from July 28 to August 12. The inauguration of the Imphal chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup was attended by Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, along with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the state’s Chief Minister.
The ceremony celebrated Manipur’s rich sporting heritage, the martial traditions of the Indian armed forces, and the enduring legacy of Asia’s oldest football tournament. The event featured a range of performances, including patriotic songs by Silentliu Kamei, a skydiving display, and a ceremonial flypast by Army helicopters and fighter aircraft. Additionally, there were performances by Manipuri singer Sadananda, a military jazz band fusion, demonstrations of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu and Chenda, a traditional Manipuri dance by students of the Manipur Government Dance College, and a display of the indigenous martial art Thang-Ta.
The ceremony also included the ceremonial Trophy Drill, showcasing the three trophies awarded to the champions – the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup, and the Simla Trophy. An audio-visual presentation highlighted Manipur’s sporting legacy and its contribution to the armed forces. The ceremonial proceedings continued with the march of the Eastern Command Flag, the Durand Cup Flag, and the All India Football Federation Flag, followed by the entry of TRAU FC and NEROCA FC alongside children.
In a heart-warming moment, specially abled child Wanglembam Ocenao of B.B. Paul Mental Development House, Mongsangei, joined the Governor for the ceremonial kick-off and was felicitated. The Governor also posed with the three trophies before officially inaugurating the Imphal chapter of the Durand Cup, following which the opening fixture between TRAU FC and NEROCA FC commenced.
The Governor announced a half holiday for both government and private sectors, to encourage and promote the football tournament.
