Manipur Declares Half-Holiday for Durand Cup Opener

Imphal: Manipur is shutting down early. Governor orders a half-holiday on Tuesday, July 28, to celebrate the Durand Cup kickoff at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. This applies to every government office, school, public sector firm, and autonomous body in the state. Officials want the public to pack the stands for the Group D opener between local rivals TRAU FC and NEROCA FC.

The 135th edition of the tournament runs from July 25 to August 23. It features 24 teams split into six groups across Kolkata, Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, and Guwahati. The Imphal leg hosts matches from July 28 until August 12. Group D also includes the Indian Navy Football Team and FC Raengdai. The final group-stage fixture in Imphal features NEROCA FC against FC Raengdai on August 12.

Winners and the two top runners-up move to the knockouts. Quarter-finals hit the pitch on August 16 and 17 in Ranchi, Kolkata, and Shillong. Semi-finals follow on August 19 and 20 in Kolkata and Shillong. "The final is scheduled for August 23 at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan," the official order stated.