Indian football may not be at the world’s centre stage right now, but it was once at the heart of the game. To this day, the stories of Sailen Manna, Goshto Pal, Peter Thangaraj and the likes are narrated to children to capture their thought towards the beautiful game. These legends and their exploits are often inextricably linked to the Durand Cup. The oldest football competition in Asia and the third oldest in the world, Durand Cup, which was first held in 1888, has been the breeding ground of some of the most famous stories in Indian football. Sir Mortimer Durand, the then Foreign Secretary in charge of India, constituted the tournament in Shimla mainly as a way to preserve the health and the morale of the British troops stationed across the country. Sir Mortimer Durand, the man who made Durand Cup a reality However, over the years, it opened its doors to civilian teams and over the years, it has seen many an era-defining team play some spectacular matches that still remain fresh in the memories of those who had watched them. After a three-year hiatus, the Durand Cup has finally returned this year to officially kick-off the Indian football campaign. The 129th edition of the competition has seen 16 teams participate, six from the Indian Super League (ISL), six from the I-League and four from the Indian Army. It is currently in full swing in the hallowed grounds of Kolkata, which is also often identified as the Mecca of Indian football. Mohammedan SC were the first Indian side to lift Durand Cup in 1940 Post-independence, the Durand Cup was resumed in 1950 and Hyderabad City Police, under the tutelage of the iconic Syed Abdul Rahim became the team to beat that decade. East Bengal lifted the cup in 1951 and has since done, so 15 more times making them the most successful side in the competition, alongside Mohun Bagan. The Durand Cup has thrown up spectacles as well, be it JCT winning it in 1983 or the Tata Football Academy making it to the finals in 1995. The triumph of the Army Green over Neroca FC in 2016 was no less of a surprise either. Real Kashmir vs Chennai CIty FC In the current Indian football climate, the Durand Cup serves as a fresh reminder of why the sport should continue to spread wings and try to reach each and every part of the country. It is feasible, and indeed workable to include all ISL and I-League teams in a year-long league with promotion and relegation. A glimpse from the ATK vs Navy match in Durand Cup this year All in all, Sunil Chhetri’s wish of Indian footballers getting the opportunity to play more than 50 games a season could very well be realized by the regular inclusion of the Durand Cup, an all-inclusive open league that runs parallel to a Federation Cup or a Super Cup. In my previous pieces, I had explained in detail as to how the continuous clash between the I-League and ISL is hurting the performance of those donning the national team’s shirt and how a resolution must be found and executed sooner rather than later. The only question is whether the All India Football Federation is wise enough to seize this opportunity and try to make this vision viable for all clubs and franchisees, alike.