Durand cup trophy

Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center: There are not many footballing tournaments that have the rich and deep heritage like the Durand Cup. As the iconic footballing spectacle set for its 133rd edition, the trophies were unveiled by the President of India Droupadi Murmu in an event hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center (RBCC) on Wednesday.

The unveiling of the three trophies was followed by a group photo with all the dignitaries present at the event. Following the photo session, the President, along with all those present, stepped outside for the flag-off ceremony to kickstart the Durand Cup trophy tour. The flag had logos of the team’s participating at the event.

"The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in India. This is a tournament in which the winner wins three trophies: the Durand Cup, the President Cup and the Shimla Trophy. The tournament has been going on for almost 135 years. I’ve been told that the Shimla trophy was presented to the players by the locals from Shimla in 190. The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad had gave the President Cup to the winners of the 1950 edition of the tournament and ever since then every winner receiving all three trophies is a tradition," said the President.