President Murmu unveils Durand Cup 2026 trophies, flags off tournament
New Delhi, July 7 (TNT): President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday unveiled and flagged off the trophies of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
Addressing the gathering, the President congratulated past and present officials and players associated with the tournament and said the Durand Cup has served as a platform for nurturing football talent in the country.
She welcomed the participation of new teams in this year’s edition, including a team from Sri Lanka, and expressed confidence that their inclusion would further enhance the popularity of the tournament.
The President conveyed her best wishes to all participating teams competing for the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup and the Shimla Trophy.
Describing football as one of the world’s most popular sports, Murmu said the game exemplifies excellence, unity and sportsmanship, and has the power to bring people together across nations.
Referring to the ongoing FIFA World Cup, she said the performances of leading international teams and players inspire football enthusiasts around the world and contribute to the growth of the sport.
The President said India still has a long way to go to establish a stronger presence in global football and expressed hope that the Durand Cup would play an important role in identifying and nurturing future talent.
She also said the values of sportsmanship extend beyond the playing field by promoting equality, cooperation and resilience.
Drawing a parallel with the country’s development goals, Murmu said citizens should work together towards achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047, just as football players unite to achieve success for their team.
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