The Organizing Committee (OC) of the 132nd Durand Cup has thanked the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) for the humongous support provided in the successful hosting of the iconic tournament for the very first time in Kokrajhar. A total of eight games, including all six games of Group F and a game each of Group D and E were played at the newly renovated SAI stadium in Kokrajhar to packed houses. The historic first ever Durand game at the venue between the local Bodoland FC side and Rajasthan United FC was played on August 05, 2023.
Upon the completion of the Kokrajhar leg, a spokesperson of the Durand Organizing Committee, said, “The entire BTC team did a tremendous job of delivering on the asks of the OC. In a very short period of time, they not only managed to increase stand capacity and improve overall infrastructure, but also transformed the Field of Play and brought it up to tournament standards. Despite extremely challenging weather conditions, not once did they complain or flinch from their resolve. In-fact inclement weather plagued Kokrajhar throughout the course of the tournament and even in the build-up, but the BTC team’s positive attitude and commitment to the task, helped all of us pull off almost a miracle in the end. The Durand OC will remain grateful and thankful for the support received from the BTC and we look forward to coming back here again next year. All the teams and members of the organizing committee and officials were also overwhelmed by the hospitality provided by the BTC. Once again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The 132nd Durand Cup has seen 24-teams, including two foreign teams, vie for the three coveted Durand trophies this year. They were divided into six groups of four teams each from where the group toppers and the two best second-placed teams made it to the quarter-finals.
The Indian Army Football Team made it through as toppers of Group F, all games of which as mentioned were played in Kokrajhar. The local Bodoland FC side also registered a win in their final group game over Odisha FC, however it was not enough to see them through.
