President Droupadi Murmu introduced and initiated the Trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. She emphasized the tournament’s role in nurturing footballers and commended all past and present officials and players involved with the Durand Cup for providing a platform to talented individuals.
The President mentioned that new teams, including one from Sri Lanka, would participate in this year’s Durand Cup, the President’s Cup, and the Shimla Trophy. She expressed confidence that the addition of these teams would enhance the popularity of this historic competition.
President Murmu extended her best wishes to all teams and players participating in the tournament for their outstanding performances. She highlighted football as a globally popular sport that embodies excellence, unity, and sportsmanship, emphasizing its ability to bring people together and inspire sports enthusiasts worldwide.
