An old favourite regains its old glory

After receiving a much-needed boost last year, India's oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup, is set to commence on October 30, for its 120th edition.

Though three big names of Indian football "" East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan "" will stay away due to prior commitments with the IFA Shield, the competition will still see some top teams and players vie for the trophy.

A total of 12 teams have been directly seeded into the pre-quarterfinals, while the remaining four teams will make the cut from the knock-out qualifying round. Teams like the New Delhi Heroes, BSF XI and Assam Rifles will be seeking to make it to the knock-out stages. The knock-out stage will be played under floodlights at Ambedkar Stadium in the capital.

The tournament, which is being sponsored by art auction house Osian's, has a total prize money of Rs 20 lakh, and the winners will pocket a cool Rs 8 lakh.

Defending champions FC Dempo start as favourites and will face tough competition from the likes of Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers and Mahindra United.

Osian's will be working with Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) for the development of Indian football. According to Neerav Tomar, director, IOS, "Last year, the competition got an encouraging response from the spectators, and we hope that this year's edition will go one step ahead."

With the Indian national team winning the Nehru Cup last month, interest in the game has gone up, and the organisers will be looking to capitalise on that.

"We know that interest has always been there, but a lot needs to be done. And with competitions like Durand Cup regaining their lost glory, it would be a step in the right direction," adds Tomar.

Even without the so-called Big Three of Indian football and the intense rivalries which the Kolkata clubs generate, the teams involved would be looking to provide the spectators with a feast of quality football.