Imphal: The Manipur government has declared a half-holiday on Tuesday, July 28, to mark the inaugural Durand Cup match at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal.
An order issued by the Governor of Manipur said the half-holiday will apply to all government offices, educational institutions, public sector undertakings, corporations and autonomous bodies across the state.
The decision has been taken to enable government employees and the public to attend the Group D opening match between state rivals TRAU FC and NEROCA FC.
Group D comprises TRAU FC, NEROCA FC, FC Raengdai and the Indian Navy Football Team.
The Imphal leg of the 135th Durand Cup will be held from July 28 to August 12 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
The final group-stage fixture in Imphal will be played on August 12, when NEROCA FC take on FC Raengdai.
The 135th edition of the Durand Cup is being held from July 25 to August 23, featuring 24 teams divided into six groups across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong and Guwahati.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for August 16 and 17, with the six group winners and the two best second-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. The matches will be hosted in Ranchi, Kolkata and Shillong.
The semi-finals will be played on August 19 and 20 in Kolkata and Shillong, while the final is scheduled for August 23 at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.