Durand Cup 2023: Prize Pool Triples to ₹3 Crore as Kolkata Prepares for Historic Tournament
Exciting Developments for the 134th Durand Cup
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 17: The Organizing Committee for the 134th Durand Cup has revealed that this year's cash prize pool will see a remarkable increase, tripling to ₹3 Crore. This announcement was made during the trophy unveiling ceremony in Kolkata, as the city prepares to host Asia's oldest football tournament. In addition to the winners and runners-up, teams that reach the semi-finals and quarter-finals, along with three individual award recipients, will also benefit from the prize distribution, according to a statement from the Durand Cup.
The three prestigious trophies of the Durand Cup were displayed at AOI Vijay Durg, with Aroop Biswas, the Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Power, Housing, Youth Services & Sports for the Government of West Bengal, serving as the Chief Guest. Other notable attendees included Rajesh Kumar Sinha IAS, Principal Secretary of Housing, Youth Services & Sports, and Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra AVSM, SM, Chief of Staff HQ Eastern Command and Chairman of the Durand Cup Organizing Committee.
The unveiled trophies included the Durand Cup, the original prize, the rolling Shimla Trophy (first awarded in 1904), and the President's Cup, which is permanently retained by the winners.
During the event, Aroop Biswas expressed enthusiasm, stating, “With enhanced media coverage planned for the Durand Cup and the Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attending the grand finale on August 23rd, we anticipate an electrifying atmosphere. Ticket allocations for major clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Diamond Harbour FC have been finalized to ensure strong fan representation. Each of these clubs has been allocated a quota of 5,000 tickets to foster a vibrant presence in the stands. We wish all teams the best as they compete in Asia's oldest and most prestigious football tournament,” as noted in a release from the Durand Cup.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha IAS remarked, “The Durand Cup has regained its former glory over the past six years since being hosted in Kolkata. The government has invested ₹15 Crore into the tournament. The contributions from various departments of West Bengal, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Mamta Banerjee, have been crucial for the smooth execution of the event.”
Lt Gen Mohit Malhotra added, “I am thrilled to announce that this year, the tournament has significantly enhanced its prize structure, increasing from under ₹1.2 Crore in previous years to over ₹3 Crore now. Additionally, three brand-new SUVs will be awarded to the individual award winners. This reflects our commitment to rewarding excellence and attracting top talent from across the country. With its passionate fans, historic clubs, and unmatched football culture, Kolkata remains the spiritual home of football in India. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the State Sports Minister, and all associated departments for their unwavering support in making this tournament possible. Since 2019, under the leadership of HQ Eastern Command, the tournament has grown in scale, stature, credibility, and professional excellence.”
Maj Gen Rajesh Arun Moghe shared, “This year, the tournament will continue with the League-cum-Knockout format that has proven successful. A total of 24 teams will compete across six pools in five states, with two pools playing their matches in Kolkata. The city will host 15 matches, including one quarter-final, a semi-final, and the grand finals. We are also proud to provide a platform for four promising grassroots teams: 1-Ladakh FC, South United FC, Bodoland FC, and Rangdajied United FC. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Sports and allied departments of the Government of West Bengal, the Kolkata Police, and all our partners and sponsors, including IOCL, SBI, CIL, and Sony, whose support symbolizes a shared commitment to football and our youth.”
Kolkata will host two groups and a total of 15 matches, including a quarter-final, semi-final, and finals at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) and the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK). Emami East Bengal FC, Indian Air Force FT, and Durand Cup newcomers Namdhari FC and Bengaluru-based South United FC are drawn in Group A, with East Bengal and South United FC set to face off in the tournament's opening match on July 23rd at VYBK.
Last year's runners-up, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, along with fellow Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC, Border Security Force FT, and Diamond Harbour FC, will compete in Group B, with the highly anticipated Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mohammedan SC scheduled for July 31st at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.