Extremely happy with unprecedented response, says Chairman of Durand Cup

Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC to face-off in final today

Our Correspondent

Dimapur, Sep. 17 (EMN): The 131st edition of the Durand Cup has reached the final leg with Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC slated to face-off for the triple-crown of Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup on September 18 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, commonly called the Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata.

Lt. Gen. KK Repswal, Chief of Staff of Eastern Command and chairman of the 131st Durand Cup organising committee, ahead of the culmination of the oldest football tournament in Asia, said in an exclusive interview to Eastern Mirror, that they were “extremely happy with the unprecedented response” received from the Northeast, especially Imphal.

He said the response has motivated them to further expand into the region starting next year.

“The chief minister of Manipur specially, who has himself been a Durand winner with the BSF, had assured us that he will make it a success and he delivered,” he stated.

When asked about their plans for the next year, he said they are looking to play matches in Shillong and Aizawl in addition to Imphal and Guwahati.

Matches this year were held in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium and Kishore Bharati Krirangan, as well as Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium and Imphal’s Khuman Lampak stadium.

“We also plan to increase the teams from 20 to 24 or 28 next year. In-fact this year, I had met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma regarding the possibility of holding matches in Shillong this year itself but he had told me that the stadium was not ready and that it would be ready by December. So definitely next year we plan to reach out to more cities in the Northeast,” he shared.

With regard to the overall vision for Duran Cup even in the coming years, Repswal said they don’t want to hold the Cup “just like another tournament.”

“We also want it to help develop the game and provide young players with a platform. From next year, we are planning to mandate something on the lines of every team having two U-19 or U-18 players. The idea is to give more and more opportunities to youngsters,” he said.

On being asked if the inclusion of ISL teams have raised the standard of football in the Durand Cup this year, he replied that has been good for all the teams and players.

“It is also good for our Services teams who are based in different cities and play in the local leagues there. They get the experience and opportunity to play with top teams and show their mettle. This year three players from the Navy for example were picked up by professional clubs. That is the value the Durand brings also to our Service players,” he added.