THE Durand Cup is 100 years ‘old, its centenary celebration is being observed in the shape of rich prize money to the finalists, wards 10 ‘best players in different positions, to the
Outstanding referee and to the best photographer. All these are for the first time in the history of the tournament and courtesy of the sponsors, the winner will carry home Rs, 1.50 lakh.
A competition started in the sylvan surroundings of the Annandale ground in Shimla in 1888 with just six teams has indeed come a long way 10 become Asia’s oldest football tournament and the second oldest in the ‘world, next 10 the Football Association Cup in England.
The cup is named after an Englishmen, Sir Mortimer Durand, Sir Mortimer could not have visualized that this competition would one day become a prestigious event. Probably it ‘was originally meant as an entertainment for the officers and their families during their posting in the Summer Capital and as.an outlet for the British soldiers stationed in India.
PRESTIGIOUS
However, as years rolled by the Durand Cup grew in stature. in offering high quality of football and an arena for leading outfits (0 test their skills and strength, Having been run by the Services officials. the supreme the Preside tent of India, came to be associated ‘with the tournament and for several are one could see the Head of the State presiding over the prize distribute ion ceremony,
A few ups and downs were also linked with the cup chiefly because of the outbreak of wars and the partition of India, An interesting story in this connection concerns an attempt by the joint Commander in Chief Sir Claude ‘Auchinlek to take away the cup to Lahore or Quetta, I was thwarted by the Defence Minister Mr. H.M. Patel. Mr. Patel remained associated with the organization of the tournament for a few years.
The tournament enjoyed immense popularity right from the early years. For the residents of Shimla in particular it was an event of significance, the introduction of the Shimla Trophy was said to be a reaction to the continuity of tournament there, Later the President’s Trophy also became a part of the winner’s booty.
For almost half a century the cup ‘was the monopoly of the British regimental teams. The Royal Scots Fusiliers were the first winners of the cup in 1888, with the Highlanders Light Infantry as runners-up. But in the next two years the Highlanders Infantry proved to be the best team, The Infantry beat the Shimla Rifles 81 in 1889 while the Scottish Borders de feasted East Lancashire by an identical margin in the 1891 final. These two Victories continue to be the tallest scoring margins in the competition thus far
ARMY CHAMPS
The Highlanders Light Infantry further earned the distinction of recording a hat trick of cup victories. The regiment triumphed in the years 1893, 1894, and 1895. Black Watch followed suit by winning the cup three years in a row in 1897, 1898 and 1899.
The outbreak of the First World ‘War caused an interruption for the first time and there was no tournament from 191410 1919. Black Watch were back to the top when the Durand Cup xesumed in 1920.
Sherwood Foresters, York and Lancaster Regiment, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and Border Regimental ‘were some of the outstanding teams of that time.
The tournament was a big attraction for civilian teams as well as although they could not match the power, pace and shooting abilities of the British regiment teams. Promotion of football throughout the country was a significant gain.
When the Second World War broke out, there was another “adjournment® and no competition was held in 1939, the scene shifted to Delhi as the troops were moved down from the hill resort. Enthusiasts got the tournament started in Delhi
In 1940 and it became the permanent venue, the year was significant as the Mohammedan Sporting of Calcutta became the first civilian team to lift the cup and to end the ‘monopoly of the regiment teams.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 20, 1987
