New Delhi, September 7 (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented the Presidents Cup trophy to East Bengal Football Club, winners of the Durand Cup 2026, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

East Bengal had clinched the 135th Durand Cup title in August after defeating arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in the final. It was East Bengal’s 17th Durand Cup triumph. With the victory, the club equalled Mohun Bagan’s record for the most Durand Cup titles.

In the final played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Thl. Bipin Singh put East Bengal ahead in the 10th minute, while Edmund Lalrindika scored in the 12th, 22nd and 44th minutes to complete a hat-trick. Mohun Bagan’s lone goal was scored by Manvir Singh in the 33rd minute.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu presented the Presidents Cup trophy of the Durand Cup Tournament 2026 to the winning East Bengal Football Club. Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani, Durand Football Tournament Society President and Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, along with office-bearers of the society and East Bengal players, were present on the occasion.

Organised by the three Services, the Durand Cup is the world’s third-oldest surviving football tournament. Established in 1888, it is among India’s most prestigious football competitions and provides an important platform for established players, emerging talents and Services teams to showcase their abilities.

A total of 24 teams participated in the 135th edition of the Durand Cup, including a foreign team representing the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. The tournament thus continued its tradition of bringing Indian clubs, Services teams and international sides together on a common platform.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar