Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday inaugurated the Manipur chapter of the 131st Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak stadium in Imphal.
The Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament is being held in multiple venues including Kolkata, Imphal and Guwahati. Manipur is hosting 10 group C matches of the Cup.
At the inaugural ceremony of the Imphal Chapter of Durand Cup Tournament. pic.twitter.com/shnAzIJoe8
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 18, 2022
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it is a “historic day” as Durand cup was being played in Manipur.
Delighted to attend the Inaugural Ceremony of the Imphal Chapter of Durand Cup-2022 today.
Durand Cup is one of the oldest football tournaments in the world.
The Indian Army has done a commendable job by organising the matches in Manipur. pic.twitter.com/TRUo5KJOQQ
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 18, 2022
“CM N Biren Singh is expeditiously developing the state. Durand Cup being organized in Manipur shows that the northeast’s prestige has increased in the country; it’s a matter of pride for the Northeast.”Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there is a soldier in a player and a player in a soldier.
“I also believe, the spirit of sportsmanship should be present in politicians too”, the Defence Minister said.
“India has been able to achieve a new height in sports competition be it Olympics, Asian Games Or Commonwealth Games in the last six-seven years and prestige of the country has increased in international level,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Earlier, all attention used to be in cricket but today attention is on sports which received less popularity, Rajnath Singh said.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh in his speech thanked the Indian Army and tournament authority for making it possible to hold Durand Cup matches in the State.
What a thoughtful gesture from Hon'ble Defence Minister Shri @rajnathsingh Ji to present me a framed photo of myself from the Durand Cup which I played in 1981.
Nostalgic and extremely heartwarming. pic.twitter.com/Brs0Dm9VHg
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 18, 2022
Manipur Government announced half-day holiday on Thursday for all government offices and institutions including schools and colleges to enable employees to watch the inaugural match between two state based teams of NEROCA FC and TRAU FC.
NEROCA FC beat local rivals TRAU FC 3-1 in a group C fixture of the Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak stadium here on Thursday.
Football truly unites us all. What an electrifying ambience and enthusiasm. #DurandCup @PMOIndia @adgpi pic.twitter.com/PYo4xX059t
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 18, 2022
Bengali