135th IndianOil Durand Cup Concludes with Glittering Closing Ceremony and Awards Distribution
Kolkata, August 23, 2026: One month of thrilling football action came to an end on Sunday as the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup concluded with a grand closing ceremony and prize distribution at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The closing ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri of India S
hri Rajnath Singh as the Chief Guest. The event brought together senior military and civil officials, football administrators, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors, partners and members of the football fraternity.
Among the distinguished guests were General N. S. Raja Subramani, PVSM AVSM SM VSM, Chief of Defence Staff and President of the Durand Football Tournament Society; Dr Indranil Khan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Youth Services & Sports and Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal; Shri Tapas Roy, Minister of Commerce and Industries, Government of West Bengal; Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, GOC-in-Chief, HQ Eastern Command and Patron of the Durand Cup Organising Committee; and Lt Gen Gambhir Singh, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Eastern Command and Chairman of the Organising Committee.
Also present were senior Army officials, AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, SBI Chief General Manager Shri R. Natrajan, Indian Oil Corporation Limited Executive Director Shri Jisto Nongbri and Coal India Limited Executive Director Shri Asheesh Kumar.
East Bengal FC Receive the Coveted Trophies
Champions East Bengal FC received the prestigious Durand Cup, Simla Trophy and President’s Cup Scroll from Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
The East Bengal players were also presented with their Gold Medals by Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Tapas Roy, AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey and Indian Oil Corporation Limited Executive Director Shri Jisto Nongbri.
The champions were awarded a ₹1.21 crore prize cheque, which was presented by Dr Indranil Khan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Youth Services & Sports and Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal.
Runners-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant received their Silver Medals from Lt Gen Gambhir Singh, Maj Gen D K Singh and Dr Subrata Gupta, IAS (Retd), Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant were also presented with the ₹60 lakh runners-up prize cheque by Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan.
Individual Awards
The individual awards recognised some of the outstanding performers of the tournament.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant goalkeeper Vishal Kaith received the Golden Glove, along with a ₹3 lakh cheque and an SUV key. The award was presented by Shri R. Natrajan, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie of NorthEast United FC was presented with the Golden Boot, accompanied by a ₹3 lakh cheque and SUV key. The award was presented by Shri Jisto Nongbri, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
The Golden Ball went to Edmund Lalrindika of East Bengal FC, who also received a ₹3 lakh cheque and SUV key. The award was presented by Shri Asheesh Kumar, Executive Director, Coal India Limited.
Quarter-Finalists and Semi-Finalists Felicitated
The four losing quarter-finalists—Indian Army FT, Jamshedpur FC, Shillong Lajong FC and FC Raengdai—were felicitated with cheques of ₹15 lakh each.
The two losing semi-finalists, SC Delhi and NorthEast United FC, were presented with cheques of ₹25 lakh each.
Match officials and referees were also honoured with mementos in recognition of their contribution to the successful conduct of the tournament.
Cultural Extravaganza Highlights the Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony featured a colourful cultural presentation celebrating India's diverse traditions, the heritage of West Bengal and the martial arts traditions of the Indian Army.
The programme included performances of Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Krav Maga and Mallakhamb, followed by a vibrant Purulia Chhau presentation by Kalipada Chhau Nritya Samity and Jaladhar Chhau Nritya Academy.
The ceremonial proceedings continued with the Trophy Drill, showcasing the three trophies awarded to the Durand Cup champions. A special audio-visual presentation then took the audience through the rich history and legacy of the tournament.
The Ball Drill and Flag March followed, with the ceremonial entry of the tournament and fair-play flags onto the field. Match officials and players then entered the pitch before the dignitaries joined both teams for a Meet and Greet and official group photographs.
At half-time, the Air Warrior Drill Team – Arjan presented a special drill display featuring precision rifle manoeuvres.
Following the conclusion of the final, the post-match celebrations continued with a performance by the Indian Army Orchestra Band.
The 135th IndianOil Durand Cup once again showcased the passion, tradition and competitive spirit of Indian football, bringing together clubs, players, fans and the armed forces in one of the country's most historic football tournaments.
Reporter: Sanchita Chatterjee