The absence of top Bengal clubs from the 120th edition of the Durand Cup has already robbed it of some sheen. Probably for the first time, the meet, scheduled to kick-off on October 18, will not feature a single team from the home of football in the country.

The authorities at the top three clubs in Kolkata — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting — and the organisers of the Durand Football Tournament have different versions to offer for the ‘fiasco’.

Lt Col Joginder Singh, the secretary of the Durand Football Tournament Society, blames it on rescheduling of the tournament from its traditional slot in December to October, and the resultant clash of dates with the state league in Bengal.

“We have had a fixed slot in December so far and that used to be a free time for most clubs, but due to the change in schedule of World Cup qualifier and the Professional Football League, The All India Football Federation (AIFF) instructed us to finish the meet by the first week of November. And, therefore, the clash with some state leagues. We have to go ahead, even if that means non-availability of some top clubs,” said Singh.

“We asked Indian Football Association (IFA), if they could make adjustments, but they refused,” he added. But Anjan Mitra, secretary of Mohun Bagan, accused the organisers of not making enough effort to get the Kolkata-based teams.

“I am surprised that the organisers of the tournament do not seem to be very keen on getting Kolkata teams. There is a clash of dates with state league, but that is not an insurmountable problem. It can easily be adjusted, but it requires some intent. I am sorry to say, that intent is missing here,” Mitra told The Indian Express on the sidelines of the final match of the Subroto Cup tournament in the capital today.

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