135th Durand Cup kicks off in Imphal with NEROCA-TRAU derby amid festive atmosphere

The Imphal chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup was inaugurated with much fanfare at the Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, as football enthusiasts packed the venue to witness the opening derby between local rivals NEROCA FC and TRAU FC.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla formally inaugurated the tournament in the football-loving state in the presence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, legislators, senior Army officers and top state government officials.

The inaugural ceremony featured a spectacular display of Manipur's rich culture, with colourful cultural performances, songs and musical presentations by local artists. Adding to the excitement, spectators were also treated to a thrilling paragliding display and aerial show ahead of the opening match, setting the stage for the tournament in grand style.

The opening match witnessed a vibrant atmosphere, with fans filling the stadium despite the scorching heat and cheering their teams throughout the highly anticipated derby.

To encourage public participation, the Manipur government declared a half-day holiday for all government offices, educational institutions and public sector undertakings, enabling employees and students to attend the inaugural fixture.

Imphal is one of the five host cities for this year's Durand Cup, alongside Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Ranchi. The 135th edition of Asia's oldest football tournament began in Kolkata on July 25 and will culminate with the final at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on August 23.

The Imphal leg of the tournament features NEROCA FC, TRAU FC, Raengdai FC and the Indian Navy Football Team. The four teams will compete in six league-stage matches, with the top performers advancing to the knockout rounds of the prestigious competition.