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The 131st edition of India’s oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup, would be played from August 16 to September 18 across the three cities of Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal.
For the first-time since January 19, 2020; the City of Joy will witness a Kolkata derby on August 16, 2022 as ATK Mohun Bagan face East Bengal Club in the opening match of the 131st Durand Cup.
Group A and B would be played in Kolkata with Group A set to feature defending champions FC Goa, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and Indian Air Force; while Group B would feature East Bengal Club, ATK Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, Rajasthan United FC and Indian Navy.
A total of 20 teams from across Indian Super League, I-League, and Services team would be participating in the competition.
The Indian Army will continue to organise the world’s third oldest tournament, which for the first-time ever will be played across three cities. In Kolkata, the Saltlake Stadium, Naihati Stadium and Kishore Bharati Stadium; besides the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati and the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal will host the tournament.
For the first-time, all 11 Indian Super League franchises and clubs will be taking part in the Durand Cup with FC Goa the defending champions.
Lt Gen KK Repswal, who is also the chairman of the tournament organising committee, said, “We had expressed last year that we wanted to expand the reach of the Durand Cup and we are extremely happy that we have been able to achieve the same this year. It would not have been possible without the enthusiastic and proactive support of the three state governments.”
“Besides the new host cities and venues, the 131st Durand Cup will see many other firsts including participation from all ISL teams, a team from Rajasthan and also for the very first time a four-city trophy tour to rev up support for the tournament and engage more fans,” he concluded.
