Manipur: Hectic preparations on for Durand Cup 2022

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 7 (EMN): Hectic preparations are in full swing for hosting the 131st edition of Durand Cup 2022, Asia’s oldest football tournament scheduled to be held from August 18 to September 5 in Imphal.

For the first time in history of Durand Cup, Imphal will be the venue for 10 league matches (of Group c) while Kolkata will hosts Group A and B matches and Guwahati Group D matches.

Chennaiyin FC, Hyderabad FC, NEROCA FC, TRAU FC and Army Red FT are clubbed in Group – C of the tournament and the Manipur chapter of the tournament will kick off between two Manipur- based teams NEROCA FC and TRAU FC at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on August 18 at 6 pm. 

Altogether 20 teams including last year’s defending champions FC Goa and runners Mohammedan Sporting, 11 teams from the Indian Super League, four Services team, NEROA FC, TRAU FC, SUDEVA FC of Delhi and Rajasthan United FC are participating in this year’s edition of the Cup.

Last month, Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh, chaired a meeting and formed 16 different sub-committees -security, fire safety, traffic management, reception, accommodation, transport, infrastructure, technical and information technology, ground development, health, hospitality, water supply, waste management, cultural programme, publicity and information and power supply – for smooth and successful conduct of the tournament.

Officials from the All India Football Federation and event management group Cherry Tree have started arriving in the State capital to oversee the ongoing preparations. A foolproof security plan has been chalked out by the Manipur Police in this regard.

On July 27, the chief minister unveiled the trophies of the tournament in a glittering function in Imphal in the presence of state sports minister Govindas Konthoujam, chief secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, chief of staff, Eastern Command and chairman of Durand Cup Organising Committee, Lt. Gen. KK Repswal.