Imphal: Local rivals TRAU FC and NEROCA FC began their 135th Durand Cup campaign with a goalless draw in the Group D opening match of the Imphal leg at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Tuesday.
Neither side could break the deadlock during regulation time, with both teams settling for a point each.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated the tournament before kickoff. First Lady Jyoti Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth were present at the opening ceremony.
Established in 1888, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament. The Imphal leg, jointly organised by the Indian Armed Forces and the Manipur government, will be held at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium from July 28 to August 12.
Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, cabinet ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, the Security Advisor, the Director General of Police and senior civil, police and military officials attended the inaugural function. Lieutenant General VM Bhuvana Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee, the General Officer Commanding of 3 Corps, the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) and other senior military officers were also present.
The opening ceremony featured performances by military bands and cultural troupes, including demonstrations of Malkhamb, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Chenda Melam, Manipuri folk dances and traditional tribal dances before a packed crowd.
Group D also features FC Raengdai and the Indian Navy Football Team, who will face each other on July 30.
The Imphal leg will conclude on August 12 with the Group D fixture between NEROCA FC and FC Raengdai. The 135th Durand Cup is being held from July 25 to August 23 across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati, with the quarter-finals scheduled for August 16 and 17, the semi-finals on August 19 and 20, and the final on August 23 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.