The opening ceremony which was witnessed by around 12000 football fans was soon followed by the opening match of the tournament between Bodoland FC and Rajasthan United FC.
Digital Desk: The 132nd edition of the Durand Cup has been formally inaugurated on Saturday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the SAI Stadium in the Kokrajhar district of Assam.
The Assam Government lends its support to the competition, which is organised by the Armed Forces.
The inaugural ceremony's main features included a flypast by a Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mi-17 helicopter, martial displays, Gatka and Bhangra, as well as a performance of Bodo ethnic dance by a local company.
Around 12000 football supporters attended the opening ceremony, which was quickly followed by the tournament's opening game between Bodoland FC and Rajasthan United FC.
On August 24, 2023, Kokrajhar will host eight group matches and one quarterfinal.
Throughout the competition, 24 teams—including two international teams from Nepal and Bangladesh, the three Indian Armed Forces teams, and the local team of Bodoland FC—will compete at three different locations in Kolkata, Guwahati, and Kokrajhar.
The Defence Minister complimented the Armed Forces and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) for their efforts in creating a welcoming atmosphere in Kokrajhar that allowed the event to be held in the city for the first time as he spoke to the crowd.
He also lauded the enthusiasm and passion for football that the people of the Northeast have, referring to "the beautiful game" as more than simply a sport but an emotion.
Singh added that Assam has recently developed many football talents, and the hosting of the Durand Cup will inspire the young people to take up the sport with renewed vigour.
In addition to Rajnath Singh, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, joined other distinguished dignitaries at the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup opening ceremony.
Sarma had previously claimed that holding a competition like the Durand Cup in Bodoland was impossible owing to security issues, but that it is now possible as the area is presently experiencing a golden era of peace and stability.
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