Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 09 2010:
A 34 member state polo team was flagged off today from Pony Breeding Farm, Lamphelpat to participate in the Invitational Polo Tournament which is to be held at Kolkata from December 18 to 25 .
The state team will also exhibit the traditional Pana Sagol Kangjei during the tournament.
Technical Director, Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, N Bedajit said that, state players had also participated the tournament last year.
Horses were provided by the organizers.
State players accustomed to Manipuri ponies were not comfortable with the big breed of horses used in the tournament and could not display their skills in the tournament last year.
But this time they are taking their own horses.
So they will be able to show a better performance in the tournament.
The tournament will be played in three categories.
Manipur will participate in six goals category.
The other two categories are eight goals and ten goals.
Bedajit expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for their cooperation in the preparation for the
tournament.
State players will display the traditional Pana Sagol Kangjei on December 23 and during the closing ceremony on December 25.Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army will grace the closing ceremony as chief guest.
Many army officers and foreigners are going to witness the tournament.
They will also distribute booklets of 'How the Sagol Kangjei originated in Manipur' during the tournament, he added.
The state team will leave Imphal tomorrow after spending the night at the 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong.
The state team consists of 11 officials and artists, 15 players and eight horse attendants.