Durand Cup 2023: Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Durand, which will provide you with a better understanding of the subject.
1: When will the 132nd Durand Cup 2023 Football Tournament take place?
The 132nd Durand Cup 2023 Football Tournament will take place from August 3 to September 3, 2023.
2: Where will the tournament be held?
The tournament will be held in Kolkata, Guwahati, and Kokrajhar.
3: How many teams are participating in the tournament?
There are a total of 24 teams participating in the tournament.
4: How are the teams divided into groups?
The teams have been divided into six groups, with each group containing four teams.
5: Which city will host the final match?
The final match of the tournament will take place on September 3, 2023 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.
6: How many matches will be played in the tournament?
The tournament will feature a total of 43 matches, including the final.
7: Where will the quarter-final matches be held?
Two out of the four quarter-final matches will be held in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, while the remaining knockout games will take place in Kolkata.
8: How can viewers watch the matches live?
The live coverage of all football matches in the Durand Cup 2023 will be aired in India on Sports18 (1), Sports18 (1HD), and Sports18 (Khel TV). Viewers can also watch the Durand Cup 2023 matches live online through the streaming platforms VOOT and JioTV.
9: What are the three unique trophies presented in the Durand Cup tournament?
The three unique trophies presented in the Durand Cup tournament are:
(i) The Durand Cup (the original tournament trophy)
(ii) The Shimla Trophy (donated by the residents of Shimla)
(iii) The President’s Cup (replacing the Viceroy’s Trophy post-independence).
10: Who is the tournament named after?
The tournament is named after its founder, Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who served as the foreign secretary of India from 1884 to 1894.
11: When did the Durand Cup tournament start in India?
The Durand Cup tournament started in 1888 in Annadale, Shimla, making it the oldest existing club football tournament in Asia and the third oldest national football competition in the world.
12: Who invented the Durand Cup?
The Durand Cup was invented by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the founder of the tournament and the foreign secretary of India from 1884 to 1894.The Durand Football Tournament Society declared the Durand Cup as the original tournament trophy in 1965. It became a rolling trophy, with the winning team keeping it for a year before returning it for the next edition.
13: What is the significance of the Shimla Trophy in the Durand Cup?
The Shimla Trophy was donated by the residents of Shimla in 1904 to show their passion and support for the tournament. It is one of the rolling trophies awarded to the winning team.
14: What is the President’s Cup in the Durand Cup?
The President’s Cup is a rolling trophy that replaced the Viceroy’s Trophy after India gained independence. It was first presented by the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
15: What role does the Durand Cup play in India’s domestic football season?
The Durand Cup serves as the season-opener for India’s domestic football season.
16: How many trophies does the winning team receive in the Durand Cup?
The winning team in the Durand Cup receives three trophies: the Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup.
17: Is the Durand Cup the oldest football tournament in India?
Yes, the Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in India.
18: Who is hosting the 2023 Durand Cup?
The 2023 Durand Cup is hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society in cooperation with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Eastern Command of the Indian Armed Forces, and the Government of West Bengal. The governments of Assam and Meghalaya are also supporting the tournament.
19: Which teams are to participate in the 2023 Durand Cup?
All 12 clubs in the top tier Indian Super League (ISL) are to participate in the 2023 Durand Cup, along with the 5 clubs from the I-League, 3 teams representing the armed forces and 1 local team Bodoland FC from BTR.
20: Is there foreign participation in the 132nd Durand Cup?
Yes, the 132nd Durand Cup marks the return of foreign participation after a gap of 27 years – Bangladesh Service team, Bhutan Service and Tribhuwan Army Club from Nepal.
21. Who is the official Broadcasting Partner for the 132nd Durand Cup Tournament?
The official Broadcasting Partner for the 132nd Durand Cup Tournament is Sony LIV.
22. Who won the first Durand Cup?
The first Durand Cup was won by the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1888 when they win over the Highland Light Infantry with a scoreline of 2-1.
23. Which two teams hold the record for the most Durand Cup wins?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC jointly hold the record for the most Durand Cup wins, with each team securing an impressive 16 titles, a remarkable achievement in the tournament’s history.
24. Which Indian armed forces team won the first Durand Cup?
The Madras Regimental Centre was the first Indian Armed Forces team to win the prestigious Durand Cup in 1955. They secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Indian Air Force during Extra Time.