Kokrajhar leg of 132nd Durand Cup football inaugurated

Kokrajhar leg of 132nd Durand Cup football inaugurated
Guwahati Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated the Kokrajhar leg of 132nd Durand Cup football at SAI stadium in Kokrajhar of western Assam in presence of State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Matches of Durand Cup annual championship is being played in Kokrajhar, Guwahati as well as in Kolkata (West Bengal).
Organised for the first time in Assam by the armed forces with support from the State government, the inaugural ceremony was also graced by chief of the army staff Gen Manoj Pande, GOC-in-C eastern command Lt Gen RP Kalita, AOC-in-C, eastern air command Air Marshal SP Dharkar, general officer commanding Gajraj Corps Lt Gen Manish Erry, general officer commanding Red Horns Division Maj Gen S Murugesan with others.
Raksha Mantri, while addressing the enthusiastic crowd, complimented the efforts of the armed forces and the Bodoland territorial council for creating a positive environment in the region. Stating that Assam as well as NE India has produced many football talents in recent times, Singh exuded confidence that the historic Durand Cup tournament will encourage the youth to join the beautiful sport with renewed vigour.
CM Sarma too lauded the arrangements put in for the match in Kokrajhar. He announced that the State government will construct another stadium in BTC headquarter with a financial outlay of Rs 120 crores and the construction activities will begin in November this year. The opening ceremony was witnessed by nearly 12,000 football fans from across the region. They also enjoyed a fly-past by Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft and Mi-17 helicopter as well as martial displays and cultural programs.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by the opening match between Bodoland FC and Rajasthan United FC. A total of 24 teams, including two foreign groups from Nepal and Bangladesh, three teams of Indian armed forces, will showcase their talent and skills during the tournament. State sports & youth welfare minister Nandita Garlosa, BTC chief Pramod Boro, All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey and a host of dignitaries were present on the occasion.