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Ashima Sharma, 8th November, 2014, BCS School, Shimla
The Shimla Bicentennial Group in association with the Shimla Football League organized a friendly football match to revive the roots of the Durand Cup in lieu of the 200th year of Shimla city’s establishment in the Bishop Cottons School campus here today. The participating teams were Rashtriya Military School, Chail; St Edwards School; Central School for Tibetans, Chhota Shimla and Bishop Cotton School. The function was formally inaugurated by the School Headmaster R.C. Robinson.
The tournament was named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary in charge of India from 1884 to 1894. Sir Mortimer was recuperating from illness in Shimla, when he became conscious of the value of sports as a means to maintain good health. He then decided to present a prize to encourage sporting competitions in India. At first it was effectively an Army cup, and largely the preserve of the British Indian Army troops in India, but over the years it widened its appeal and opened up to civilian teams, until it became a more open and conventional sporting contest.
The opening match of the game was between Bishop Cottons and Military School. The final match took place between Cottonians and St Edwards School, in which the Cottonians emerged victorious with the score at 3 – 1. The trophy was lifted by Bishop Cotton School.
Talking to a few students of the winning team, Meher Bhangoo the talented goal keeper said “The team of Central School for Tibetans was a tough competition for us”. Digvijay Chauhan, the captain of winning team said, “We had been practicing for the Cup from a very long time. The co-operation of all the teammates and their hard work has led to our victory”. Jataa Chakshu Raksha said, “Football is a game where all the team members need to play without being selfish. Accurate passes, strong midfield and good defending are a must for winning a match and our team performed well in all positions”.
Headmaster Robinson congratulated all the boys on a remarkable performance and especially the hosts who lifted the Cup. He said, “The main aim of the Durand Cup is to promote football in our country by conducting this tournament annually. Durand Cup has maintained its original character, vision and prestige and we are proud to be associated with it.”