The 9th edition of the OIL India Gold Cup Football Tournament 2026 began at the Nehru Maidan Sports Complex in Duliajan on Sunday, with 14 teams from across the country and the Northeast competing for the title.
Organised by Oil India Limited (OIL) under the technical guidance of the Assam Football Association (AFA), affiliated to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the tournament was inaugurated by OIL Director (Operations) Trailukya Borgohain, who attended as chief guest. OIL Resident Chief Executive Binayananda Bharali was present as the guest of honour.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by OIL Executive Director (OSD) Sanjay Verma, Duliajan District Sports Association president Niranjan Saikia and general secretary Kamakhya Saikia, Duliajan Sports Association president Bulbul Gogoi and general secretary Rajib Chetia, besides senior OIL officials, football organisers and other dignitaries.
The ceremony featured the hoisting of the OIL and tournament flags, followed by the unveiling of the Oil India Gold Cup trophy and the formal declaration of the tournament open.
Launched in 2005, the Oil India Gold Cup has established itself as an important football tournament in the region, attracting clubs from different parts of the country. The competition returned with its eighth edition in 2025 after a gap.
The qualifying rounds of the current edition were held at Mazgaon Playground from September 11 to 16, while the main rounds began at Nehru Maidan on Sunday.
The participating teams are Sporting Club, Delhi; Shillong Lajong FC, Meghalaya; Punjab FC; NorthEast United FC, Guwahati; Sudeva FC, Delhi; CISF Football Team, Delhi; Kidderpore SC, Kolkata; ASUFII Football Academy, Manipur; NRL FA, Numaligarh; Lenruol FC, Silchar; ASEB Sports Club, Guwahati; Oil India FC, Duliajan; Naharkatia Sports Association and Duliajan Football Academy.
In the opening match of the main round, ASUFII Football Academy of Manipur defeated ASEB SC of Guwahati 2-0. W. John Singh, wearing jersey No. 10, was adjudged Man of the Match. OIL Executive Director (HR&FA) Madhurjya Barua presented the award.
The tournament will progress through the pre-quarter-finals, quarter-finals and semi-finals before culminating in the final on October 3.
The competition is expected to provide footballers from the region with an opportunity to compete alongside established teams while reinforcing Duliajan’s longstanding association with football and community sporting activities.
