Countdown to Manipur Polo International 2018

Wahengbam Tiken *

34th N Hazari / Dr N Tombi State Polo Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung on 11th November 2018 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

The highest goal scorer (14 goals) of the 11th Manipur Polo International 2017, P Ojit, will once again be representing India B (Manipur) in this year’s edition of this prestigious tournament.

P Ojit, 35 years, from Tentha, is also the son of a very renowned polo player late P Manaobi who played for the Veterinary team. As with many other polo players Ojit also started riding from a very young age of 5 years and with father Manobi’s training, began playing polo at the age of 15 years.

Ojit was also a very keen footballer but his real love has remained polo. Unlike his other two teammates, Pradeepkumar and Bimol, he is yet to get any government job and sustains himself through farming in a small piece of land.

Ojit started by playing Pana Polo in Wangjing and in 1997 he began playing in state-level polo tournament with Tentha Polo Club. He was part of the N Hazari tournament wining Tekcham Polo Club in 2002 and 2003.

Ojit also went to Drass with the Manipur team to take part in the polo tournament there but unfortunately had to come back because of landslide.

Just before the trial for the Manipur team selection to play in the Manipur Polo International, 2012, Ojit’s father P Manaobi passed away and never saw his son play for the Manipur team, a fact that still rankles Ojit.

But getting to play for the state, Ojit feels, is repayment for everything his father has done for him and is very happy about it. Like Bimol, P Oji has represented the state in every editions of the Manipur Polo International Tournament since 2012 till date.

Ojit would like the government to encourage and take care of the polo players as most of them come from economically disadvantaged section of the society. And to save the ever dwindling Manipuri Ponies, he requested the government to create a grazing ground in each of the valley districts of the state.

Exuding a quiet confidence P Ojit said he is in best of shape both physically and mentally to take on the challenge of defending the trophy along with his teammates.

Also as the team starts practicing together, Ojit felt the players are developing good understanding which will come in handy when they come up against tough opposition.