Shillong, Aug 01, 2024: The Shillong leg of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma on Friday (Aug 02, 2024) ahead of the first game here at the newly renovated Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium between local side Shillong Lajong FC and Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army Football Team.
The kick-off will be preceded by what promises to be a dazzling opening ceremony. This is the first time that the prestigious Durand Cup will hosted in the beautiful football loving Meghalayan capital. Also gracing the occasion will be Air Marshal S P Dharkar, PVSM, AVSM, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Air Command and Lt. General Ram Chander Tiwari, UYSM, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-Chief, Eastern Command.
The opening ceremony will be commenced by a spectacular Air Show followed by a Bhangra and Gatka performance by the 2nd and 13th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment. It will be then followed by a daredevil Motorcycle Show performed by the soldiers of Corps of Military Police. Song and dance then continues with performances by the Children Choir and a dance performance on the song “Badloo Ram Ka Badan” by the boys of the Assam Regimental Centre.
The final performance will be a Musical Ensemble by more than 800 schoolchildren from different schools of Shillong. The Chief Minister will then meet the players ahead of kick-off and also symbolically inaugurate the Group F proceedings, all six games of which will be played in Shillong.
Official ceremonies will also include the marching in of the Tournament Flags and the Trophies.
Musical performances are also planned for the break, when artists Gracyl and Dapelai, Lamphang & Choir and finally Cynda will enthral the crowd with their performances.
Shillong will host Group F, comprising ISL sides FC Goa and Hyderabad FC along with Shillong Lajong FC and Tribhuvan Army Football Team of Nepal.