'The way to the hearts of the people of the Northeast is through football': Rajnath Singh

With the commencement of the 132nd edition of the Durand Cup, the entire country is gripped under the fever of football. Today in the grand old tournament Bodoland FC is up against Rajasthan United FC and in the second fixture of the day Mohammedan SC will lock horns with Mumbai City FC. As it is an eminent tournament thus the presence of special personalities is also a common sight. On Saturday, honorable Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at the SAI stadium Kokrajhar to inaugurage the opening ceremony. At the facility he expressed the importance of football in India.

3 things you need to know

• It is a doubleheader Saturday in Durand Cup
• Bodoland FC vs Rajasthan United FC is the first fixture of the day
• Mohammedan SC will play Mumbai City FC in the second match of the day

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Rajnath Singh on the importance of football in India

Ahead of the start of first ever-Durand Cup match at SAI stadium, Kokrajhar, and the overall third match in this installment, Rajnath Singh addressed the crowd, that came to witness Bodoland FC vs Rajasthan United FC, and spoke a few words about the importance of football in India. The minister recalled a distressing episode from the 1970s and highlighted how the tensions were assuaged when Pele, the Brazilian legend, made his way into the country. Here's what he said.

"Football is not just a game but an emotion...In the 1970s, a civil war broke out in Nigeria. Thousands of people had lost their lives in that war, and the atmosphere was extremely tense. But when Brazilian player Pele reached there to play a friendly match, it is said that for 48 hours there was peace in the country. Just imagine how football normalized the situation in a miraculous way...This only means that football is a game of peace & that unites people..."

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Durand Cup 2023: Basic info

Durand Cup is a tournament that kicked-off way back in 1888. It is the oldest football competition in Asia and the third oldest in the world. Run by India's armed forces the current edition is the 132nd of the competition. The Durand Cup's format is divided into two stages- The group stage and the Knockout scuffle. Durand Cup 2023 will take place in West Bengal and Assam.