1. Durand Football Tournament Society will conduct the 126th Edition of Durand Football Tournament to promote the sporting activities in general and football in particular in the country.
2. The Defence Services have been associated in organizing Durand Football Tournament right from its inception. This historical Tournament is regarded as most prestigious ‘Crown of Delhi’. This has been possible entirely due to whole-hearted support given by the football fans of NCR. This year the top ranked teams of the nation are participating.
3. Historical Background. Durand Football Tournament was instituted in India in 1888 at Shimla by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand. It is the oldest tournament in Asia and third oldest in the world after Football Association Cup of England and Scotland Football Association Cup. Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC Chief of Air Staff & Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee is the President of the Durand Football Tournament Society. Durand has been the premier football competition in the country with all the big names in football vying for the coveted title year after year.
4. The Durand Football Tournament Society acknowledges the interest shown by large financial aid by Adjutant General, Army HQ, for conducting this year’s Durand Cup as per its rich traditions.
5. Durand Cup this year is scheduled from 02-19 Sep 2013. The Quarter Final Round Matches will commence from 09 Sep 2013.
6. This year the tournament will be conducted in two stages. Stage-I will be Qualifying Round to be played on Knock-out basis and Stage-II will be Quarter Final Round to be played as a league cum knockout Round at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi Gate, New Delhi.
7. Qualifying Rounds. 12 teams have been accommodated in the qualifying rounds. Two regimental teams from the Army, one team each from Indian Navy and Air Force, two teams from DSA, three teams from Para Military Forces i.e. BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles. One team from PSU viz. TATA Football and one team Kerala Police. They are divided into two groups of 06 teams each. Winner of each group will be promoted to Quarter Final Round.
8. Quarter Final Rounds. Eight National I-League Teams have been seeded directly in this Round. The details of the teams participating teams are flashed on the slide. They are Air India, ONGC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sikkim United, Kalighat Milan Sangha, Bhawanipur, Pune FC and Mumbai Tigers. Services Football Champion, Army Red and Runners-up Army Green are also seeded directly to this League round. Two winner teams of Qualifying Round will join the Quarter Final Round to make it total 12 teams. The teams are divided into four groups of three teams each. Winner of each group will play semi-finals i.e., Winner of Group-I will play against Winner of Group-III and Winner of Group-II will play against Winner of Group-IV. It will be played on knock-out basis. Final is fixed on 19 Sep 2013.
9. The Opening Match on the day of Opening Ceremony, Semi-finals and Final will be played in floodlights.
Additional Steps being Taken to Encourage Competition
10. Prizes. Net value of Cash prizes has been increased to the tune of Rs 50 Lacs as under:-
(a) Winner - Rs. 25 Lacs.
(b) Runners up - Rs. 10 Lacs.
(c) Losing Semi-finalists - Rs. 10 Lacs( 5 Lacs each).
11. In addition, a composite package has been provided for each participating team in Quarter final Round of Rs 3.5 Lacs on account of TA, Boarding & Lodging.
12. The last four teams qualifying for the Semi finals will get additional Rs 1 Lac i.e total Rs 4.5 lacs.
13. This year the DFTS is pleased to announce exemption of entry fee of Rs 2,000/- from all participating teams of Qualifying Round.
14. Durand Football Tournament Society is an endeavour by the Defence Forces to promote football in the country. The official ball for the 126th Edition is COSCO Platinum.