Durand Cup 2026 rewards 11 emerging talents whose standout group-stage performances have put them in the spotlight as the next generation of Indian footballers.

Kolkata, August 20: The Durand Cup has always been more than just a competition for silverware. Over the years, it has also served as a stage where young footballers can step into the spotlight and turn an opportunity into a statement. This year, the tournament has taken that commitment a step further by recognizing emerging talent across the group stages, rewarding players who have shown the potential to shape the future of Indian football. It is a welcome initiative that puts the focus not only on the stars already established, but also on the youngsters fighting for their place and taking their first important steps on the national stage.

Apart from the top-tier Indian Super League and the Indian football league, the Durand Committee chose eleven footballers from the other participating clubs who made an impact throughout the tournament. Each of these young players was rewarded with ₹1 lakh in prize money.

Those shining talents are who made their mark in the group stage of Durand Cup:

Md. Altab Hussain — South United FC
Rinshid V — South United FC
Saikhom Borish Singh — Indian Army FT
Veer Arjun Joshi — Samaleswari Sporting
Samuel K. Vanlalpeka — Indian Air Force FT
Naorem Somananda Singh — Indian Air Force FT
Midul Doley — FC Raengdai
Kyrmenskhem Mukhim — Langsning FC
Dawancha Carlos Challam — Nongkseh SS & CC
Rituraj Mohan — Bodoland FC
Lalpekhlua Lalpekhlua — Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC

For these eleven players, the ₹1 lakh award is more than a reward for a good group-stage campaign. It is an acknowledgement that their performances were noticed in a tournament where they shared the pitch with established professionals, international players and clubs from the country’s top divisions. For many of them, it could also become an important marker in a career that is only beginning to take shape.

That is perhaps the most valuable part of the initiative. The award does not simply celebrate where these players have come from, it highlights where they could be going. The Durand Cup has given them the stage, but their performances have given them the reason to be remembered.

The Stories Behind the Eleven:

The eleven emerging players did not arrive at the recognition in the same way, nor did they leave the group stage having made their mark in the same manner. For some, it was goals and assists, for others, it was their work without the ball, their willingness to take responsibility or simply the way they handled the step up in competition.

Md. Altab Hussain represents one of those journeys shaped by a more structured pathway. Having developed through a club programme in Bengaluru, his performances for South United FC gave him an opportunity to show what he could offer on a much bigger stage. For Altab, the recognition was also a reminder that the work done away from the spotlight eventually finds its moment. “This award shows me that hard work really does pay off. It motivates me to work even harder and keep improving as a player,” he said.

His South United teammate Rinshid V followed a very different route. He was discovered on a trial pitch without the benefit of a conventional footballing background, making his emergence in the Durand Cup all the more significant. His story is a reminder that talent can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places, provided there is an opportunity for it to be seen.

For Saikhom Borish Singh, the Durand Cup offered another opportunity to test himself through the disciplined environment of Indian Army football. Veer Arjun Joshi, meanwhile, brought a more unusual journey to the tournament, one that crossed three continents before arriving in Kolkata. His moment came with a free-kick against Mohammedan Sporting, showing the confidence to make an impact when the opportunity presented itself.

The Indian Air Force duo of Samuel K. Vanlalpeka and Naorem Somananda Singh also left their mark in Group C. Vanlalpeka’s goal against SC Delhi was one of the moments that announced his attacking ability, while Somananda’s experience went beyond simply competing. He spoke about the privilege of playing in a tournament of such stature, describing the opportunity as “a very prestigious moment” and highlighting the significance of being part of one of Asia’s oldest tournaments.

For Midul Doley, being the sole Emerging Player selected from Group D added another layer to his campaign with FC Raengdai. Playing for a club experiencing the Durand Cup for the first time, Doley provided an attacking outlet and became one of the players who gave the side an avenue to push forward against more established opposition.

Group E brought two more players from Shillong into the spotlight. Kyrmenskhem Mukhim was a constant attacking threat for Langsning FC, finishing the group stage with two goals and regularly looking to move his team forward. Dawancha Carlos Challam contributed two goals and an assist from midfield for Nongkseh SS & CC, combining his attacking influence with the responsibility of operating in the middle of the pitch.

In Group F, Rituraj Mohan stood out for Bodoland FC through his work rate and defensive discipline, while still contributing further up the pitch. For Lalpekhlua Lalpekhlua, playing from the flank for Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC meant constantly trying to stretch opposition defences and create openings.

Their performances may have come in different shirts, on different pitches and through different circumstances, but the tournament gave all eleven the same opportunity, to step into the frame and show that they belong in the conversation about Indian football’s next generation.