Sanjenbam Mani : If you wish to play Polo, you have to love the horses as yourself

Seram Neken *

Sagol Kangjei (Polo) had its origin on the soil of Manipur. Legends speak volumes of our ancestral Gods playing Sagol Kangjei as early as during the time of Pakhangba. In addition to the royal patronage of a number of Meitei kings in the past, Manipur also had Polo-lovers who devoted their time and energy in love of the horse and its game. Sanjembam Mani is one such player who endeared Polo during his time. 'ON THE GOLDEN FOOTPRINTS' reproduces here the profile of Polo player Sanjembam Mani from Ratneshwori Goswami's Akao Parei Chankhrabasing published in the Huieyen Lanpao (Manipuri).

Sanjembam Mani was born to Sanjembam Tomba and Takhellambam Ningol Sanjembam Ongbi Apanbi Devi on 29th September, 1924 at Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Imphal. As a Sagol Kangjei (Polo) player, S. Mani endeared Manipuri Pony which almost every household in Manipur reared in the olden days. In an interview, the 89 year old player says Manipuri Pony is a very precious animal which can understand even the human feelings. Other brands of horses available outside Manipur, although they have a robust body, are far inferior to Manipuri Pony in terms of strength and valour. Unlike the Pony, they are easily exhausted. Manipuri pony, on the other hand, can regain the lost energy after a brief grazing and rest.

S. Mani started playing Sagol Kangjei (Polo) at the age of 18 years. During that time, they used to play the Game at Hapta Kangjeibung regularly three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). According to the Polo enthusiast S. Mani, the regular Games of Sagol Kangjei had to be stopped unfortunately from 10th May, 1942 due to the World War-II bombings that rocked Manipur.

In the past, horse was used for transportation of goods such as rice and granaries from the Imphal area to the nook and corner of Manipur. By the 1940s, Shri Mani took up the job to ride horses for the transportation of goods. By that time, horse was abundantly found in Manipur particularly in Thoubal, Tentha, Tekcham, Thiyam Konjil, Charangpat, Moirang and Kakching. In the Imphal area also, a number of horses were dearly reared.

Recounting his early days, S. Mani said that the premises of his present residence had enough space for accommodation of a number of horses. Players coming from Thoubal, Kumbi, Moirang etc. were usually stationed at his residence. As an ardent lover of Horses and Sagol Kangjei, he arranged food and shelter for the numerous players who came for the polo matches at Imphal. Like Mani, his two sons also endear horses and the game of Polo.

As a player of Polo, Sanjembam Mani had the opportunity to join the 4th Assam Rifles as an employee on 13th July, 1942 and he got retired from services on 29th September, 1967. He is now the recipient of the pension provided to 80-aged polo players by the Governor. In almost all Polo tournaments conducted in the state in his days, S. Mani did not miss his participation in the games. After retirement from the fields, the aged Sanjembam Mani served as Mounted Umpire for a long time. As a Polo lover, this personality managed to be present in Polo tournaments held at Mapal Kangjeibung.

Mani is of the view "playing with horses is not an easy game. If you wish to play Polo, you have to love the horses as yourself. As much as you love the horse, it will in turn help you in the field. On many occasions, horses are seen striking the ball towards the goal."

Manipur is a land closely associated with the Sagol Kangjei game from the very olden days. Legends and myths narrate the involvement of Gods and Goddesses of this land in the Sagol Kangjei game. Ancient scriptures of Manipur record that Sagol Kangjei was played by Gods such as Marjing, Thnagjing, Khamlangba, Khoiriphaba, Irum Ningthou, Irong Ningthou, Wangbren, Ikop Ningthou, Yangoi Ningthou, Oknarel, Nongshaba, Nambullakpa, Loyalakpa, Nongpokningthou etc.

According to legends, Sagol Kangjei was said to be played for the first time during the acceptance ceremony of Pakhangba's wife Leisana. The time Sagol Kangjei developed at its peak in Manipur was during the reigns of King Kyamba and King Khagemba. During the time of Maharaj Chandrakirti (1850-1886) also, hectic efforts were made for development of the game. In 1863, Chandrakirti Maharaj led two Polo teams of Manipur to Calcutta for exhibition matches. The present form of Polo (Modern Polo) was first played in Silchar in 1859 and Silchar Polo Club is considered as the first Polo Club in the World.

With the objective of preserving the games, Manipur State Polo Association was formed in 1948. A Polo tournament was organized at Imphal Polo Ground in April 1949. With the merger of Manipur on 15 October 1949, the game of Polo in Manipur began to gradually decline. The horses domesticated at the households were taken over by the government and even the watchman (Chowkidar) who reared horses in the palace was dismissed from service. The regular plays at Hapta Kangjeibung came to a halt, while the monetary provisions on development of Polo were also stopped. At last, Sagol Kangjei (Polo) no longer plays its precedent role in Manipur sports.

On 28th December 1955, the All Manipur Polo Club was formed with the then Chief Commissioner PC Methew as President and Shri Maibam Iboton as Secretary. From 1986 onwards, the Club became an Association. Nowadays, the All Manipur Polo Association and Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association are playing an important role in development of Polo in the state.

Being the descendants of the brave forefathers who played adventurous games such as Sagol Kangjei, the Manipuris can easily grasp the skills of modern Polo. However, for want of due patronage on the part of the government, Polo is yet to reach the expected level. Today, Manipur needs Polo enthusiast like Sanjembam Mani for the development of this game in the state.

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