Why does the Durand Cup winner receive three trophies?

In this article, you'll get to know a bit about the competition's unique history.

The 2023 Durand Cup is right around the corner, and is set to start in less than a week’s time, as fans and football enthusiasts all around the nation brace themselves for the start of another feisty season, marked with the commencement of one of the most prestigious football competitions in India. 

Named after Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, a foreign secretary of British India, the Durand Cup is the oldest Asian competition. The competition was started by Sir Durand in 1888, with a view of valuing sports as a means to maintain health. 

In its initial 52 years, the Durand Cup was pitched only at Shimla, but in 1940 the venue was shifted to New Delhi.

The Royal Scots Fusiliers, which was a regimental department of the British Army, were the first-ever winners of the Durand Cup, whereas Mohammedan Sporting were the first Indian team to be crowned champions.

Why does the Durand Cup have three trophies?

Generally, when a team wins a competition, they are awarded with a single Championship trophy. But the Durand Cup flouts this practice, as the winning team is awarded with three different trophies. 

The Trophies are termed as the President’s Cup, the Shimla Cup and the Durand Cup.

The President’s Cup was initially handed over by the first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The President's Cup, also known as ‘The Pride’ replaced the Viceroy’s trophy post independence, and has ever since been awarded to the winning team.

The Shimla Cup on the other hand, was presented by the residents of Shimla - the original venue of the competition from 1888-1940 - as a sign of their unwavering love and passion for the beautiful game and the competition. Having been first awarded in 1904, the trophy has been in circulation since 1965.

Lastly, the Durand Cup is the original tournament trophy, which is also nicknamed as the ‘Masterpiece’. The trophy has been awarded since 1965.

Thus, the rich history and prestige of the Durand Cup, renders it as one of the very few football competitions, to hand out three different trophies to the winning team.

The 2023 Durand Cup

The 2023 Durand Cup is going to be the 132nd edition of the national competition, and will be played across three different cities. A total of 24 teams will take part in this year’s Durand Cup, including clubs from the ISL,  I-League, as well as the Armed Forces of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Two new teams - Downtown Heroes and Bodoland FC, from Srinagar and Kokrajhar respectively, will also be a part of the tournament.

The competition will commence from the 3rd of August, and will be played for a complete month.