Shimla-the birthplace of the Durand Cup and the Indian Air Force ...

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Taking Durand to new heights Maj Gen Manvender Singh, AVSM, VSM, GOC Delhi Area and Chairman Durand Football Tournament Society in an exclusive interview with Atul Bhardwaj and Col (Retd) RS Ratra, spoke at length about rejuvenating Durand to its past glory and his plans to take it to a much higher level and give the sport its due, that will no doubt enthuse football fans in India Last year the Durand Cup faced some problems, how did you manage to save it from becoming extinct? There was no trouble in conducting the tournament, barring the fact that the financial outlay was not readily available. Being a part of the uniformed community it is difficult for us to chase sponsors to raise money. It’s not easy for us to go out and ask for money. Yet we made an effort, but there were not many sponsors forthcoming to support this national sporting event. We tried our level best to generate funds through various government agencies, also through corporate bodies, armed forces, and para military forces. We did get some assistance but that support was not adequate. No help came from the corporate sector. So to that extent we did encounter a little problem last year. We ran the tournament on a shoe string budget, cutting down the frills, and the entire money was raised by the Indian Army. What are the challenges of organizing a sports event at a national level? The cost of running the tournament of such magnitude is very high. Our main aim is promote football and a sports culture in the country. The Durand football is free for people to watch and enjoy, and hence we do not generate any revenues through gate money. Booking the stadium is not costly and the Delhi government has been supportive in giving us the dates that we want. But electricity tariff bills with respect to flood lights are very high. The matches have to be played in the evening to ensure that maximum crowds get an opportunity to watch them after their office hours. This year we are better prepared, and 8 July 2011 purple beret from this year onwards we intend to take the tournament to a much higher level. What help are you seeking from government agencies? We are getting all the support from government agencies. Soon I will be meeting the sports minister Mr Ajay Maken too. But we are not banking on government support alone. What is the scale at which the Durand Cup is being organized this year? After the experience of last year, I sat with my team and analyzed the entire system. Although complete support is extended by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) I felt that there was a need to change the method in which Durand football was being conducted for the last 61 years. We also understood that any good sporting activity if not backed by solid financial resources loses its appeal not only to those watching it but more so to those who are playing in it. Therefore the first change was the decision to approach the issue of raising money in a more professional manner. Secondly, it was thought that the tournament cannot continue to be run on a low scale. We needed to scale up the appeal of the tournament or else its impact would be lost. Over the past two decades the tournament has been successively losing its sheen. Clubs had been coming to participate in the tournament paying for their expenses themselves and players too were not getting anything from us for their effort.
Lastly, we had to evolve a system through which Indian football players would begin to see the sport as a means of livelihood rather than just a stop gap arrangement before getting a job. To achieve this Durand must pay the players sufficient money so that they put their best foot forward in the tournament and take football to the next level in India. We debated this at length and finally came to a conclusion that to sustain the tournament and to make it more popular, large amount of money will have to be raised. We spoke to football lovers, some friends in the corporate world and professionals. In fact the idea struck me while I was attending a Golfing conference, their method of raising funds and conducting their tournaments inspired me to approach marketing firms through an open tender system. Now we are in the process of finalizing the selection of the firm. The new system will ensure that this year onwards Durand will chart a new chapter in the history of football. With continued support from AIFF and working within the norms and frame purple beret July 2011 9
Page 1 and 2: www.purpleberet.com July 2011 Vol.
Page 3 and 4: start up Editorial The 2009 leaders
Page 5 and 6: the coveted trophy Durand is the th
Page 7: The beacon... Air Chief Marshal P V
Page 11 and 12: What are the future plans to take D
Page 13 and 14: The legacy A Purple Beret Story The
Page 15 and 16: me. They got a penalty award toward
Page 17 and 18: The IAF football team in 1948. Seat
Page 19 and 20: Winners Years Winners Runners-Up 19
Page 21 and 22: heroes The memorable Gorkha Brigade
Page 23 and 24: The Madras Regiment Football team
Page 25 and 26: the Gorkha Brigade team for many se
Page 27 and 28: has the Army XI entered the Durand
Page 29 and 30: Debrief Durand Football In 1947, wh
Page 31 and 32: Theories abound on this trend. L. I
Page 33 and 34: article pertains to sports infrastr
Page 35 and 36: football tournament in India (third
Page 37 and 38: Period Activities Purpose First wee
Page 39 and 40: though he felt a bit uncomfortable.
Page 41 and 42: Roll on Football on screen By Khurs
Page 44: RNI No.: DELENG/2010/33162 POSTAL N

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