New Delhi, 7 July 2026: The President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu today unveiled and flagged off the trophy of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 at a program organized at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated all the past and present officials and players associated with the Durand Cup and said that the tournament has provided a platform to many talented footballers.
The President was happy to know that this year many new teams including the Sri Lankan team will compete for the Durand Cup, President Cup and Shimla Trophy. He expressed confidence that the inclusion of new teams will further increase the popularity of this historic competition. He wished all the participating teams and players a successful performance.
The President said that football is one of the most popular sports in the world. He is a unique example of excellence, unity and sportsmanship. He noted that in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, the world’s best teams and players are competing to raise the prestige of football in their respective countries. These teams and players have fans all over the world who praise their excellent play. Football brings people together and the outstanding performances of the players inspire sports fans everywhere.
The President noted that India still has a long way to go to establish itself on the global football stage. He expressed hope that this tournament will play an important role in nurturing football talent. The President said that the spirit of sports is not limited to sports only. It teaches us the values of equality, cooperation and perseverance even in difficult situations. We are moving forward towards making our country ‘Developed India’ by 2047. He expressed confidence that the citizens of the country will unite and succeed in achieving the goal of ‘Developed India’, just like football players support each other to lead their team to victory.
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