Resurgence of Polo in Manipur and Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association
- Part 2 -

Lourembam Ibetombi Devi *

Sagol Kangjei Exhibition match at Mapal Kangjeibung on November 29 2015 :: Photo - Shankar Khangembam

The members of the marchpast contingent of 1978.

1. Km Lourembam Ibetombi Devi of UripokKhaidemLeikai, Imphal

2. Shri L. Shyam Singh of UripokGopaljeeLeirak, Imphal

3. Km Ningthoukhongjam Ranjana Devi of Uripok Ningthoukhongjam Leikai, Imphal.

4. Km Lourembam Lilabati Devi of Uripok Khaidem Leikai, Imphal.

5. Km Th. Tilotama Devi of Nagamapal, Imphal

6. Km R.K. Bhanisana Devi of Uripok Achom Leikai, Imphal

7. Km P. Nandarani Devi of Uripok Huidrom Leikai, Imphal,

8. Km R.K. Sanahanbi Devi of Uripok Ningthoukhongjam Leikai, Imphal

9. Shri R.K. Pakasana Singh of UripokTakhellambam Leikai, Imphal.

10. Shri Senjam Basantakumar Singh of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Imphal

11. Shri Mutum Sunilkumar Singh of Uripok Khaidem Leikai, Imphal

12. Shri Maipak Singh of Uripok Takhellambam Leikai, Imphal.

13. Km S. Basantarani Devi of Uripok Huidrom Leikai, Imphal

14. Shri Ch Jilla Singh of Uripok Achom Leikai, Imphal

15. Km L. Sanatombi Devi, Thangal Bazaar, Imphal

16. Shri Dhiren Singh of Naoremthong, Imphal

17. Km Y. Shashikala Devi of Uripok Ningthokhongjam Leikai, Imphal

Thus, the MHRPI continued to participate in the marchpast every year with its mounted contingent. In 1980, the preparation was to participate in the marchpastin the traditional dress of Polo player (Pana Style) and in the morning of 26th January, 1980, we were all dressed up in the traditional attire of a Polo player and we waited for the ponies. But due to an agitation by some students bodies, the horses were turned back and we could not participate in the marchpast that year. But the march past continued in the later years.

In the year 1979 (December), the MHRPI applied for registration and was granted in 1980, (Regd. No. 3006 of 1980). The original members of managing committee are:

After the registration of the institute, the chairman Maibam Iboton left this world in August, 1980. He must have been a happy soul for he had worked so hard for Polo and he had dreamt of such an organisation for the betterment of game of Polo. Late Moirangthem Gojendra became the chairman after the demise of M.Iboton Singh.

After some time, the MHRPI started to organise tournaments and events related to Polo. It joined the activities organised for the visit of Maharani Gayatri Devi to Manipur (April, 1983). After Gojendra Singh, Shri N. Tombi Raj became the president (1984-86) and Shri Kungshelnaha (Sharatchandra) continued to be the Secretary. During this period, the MHRPI underwent a lot of changes, widened its membership and enhanced its activities.

In 1985, on the 21stof February, the MHPRI organised the 1st Naorem Hazari Memorial State Level Polo Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung. In March of that year, the Indian Polo Association New Delhi organised DRVS Polo Trophy and the institute participated in this tournament with a team of MHRPI of 4(four) players led by the then president Shri N. Tombi Raj and vice-president M. Shantikumar Singh, IPS.

After returning from this tournament, the Manipur Polo Club changed its name to All Manipur Polo Association and the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Institute rechristened itself as Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA). These two associations have been taking a vital role in promoting this game and rescuing it from the brink.

After a considerable temporal gap in the promotional activities of the game of Polo, there was resurgence in the nineties. The first Governor's Invitation Polo Cup started in 1990. The first international Polo tournament was organised as Manipur Polo 1991 from the 26thof March to the 2ndof April, 1991 at Mapal Kangjeibung and the organising committee of the tournament was named as ICCAF (International Cultural Conference and Festival).

The members of MHPRI took an important role in organizing the event. The participating teams were 1) Britain, 2) Germany, 3) Australia, 4) India (Fort William), 5) Binnaguri Polo Club (India), and 6) Manipur (India). In the case of women's Polo, the firstPolo match was played between Manipur Equestrian Association and Thoubal District Polo Club in 1992 and the match was won by the latter.

Soon after, along with the 3rd International Polo Tournament in 1992, (November) the International Invitation Polo Tournament was also organised. Four teams participated in it, Manipur, UK, Kenya and Euro-Afro-Asian combined. The 1st Governor's Women Polo Cup was organised in 1996. This trophy was donated by Gen K.V. Krishna Rao, the then Governor of Manipur.

Since the day I learned horse riding in the rugged grounds of Lamphelpat till date, it has been a long journey of almost four decades and for four decades, the MHRPA has been growing. From a humble beginning of giving training to young girls and boys in 1977 to organising mega events like international Polo tournaments now, the MHPRA has contributed immensely towards the cause of Polo and saving the Manipuri Pony.

The MHPRA is now an internationally acclaimed body (now affiliated to Hurlingham Polo Association in 2014) and now it is well positioned to contribute more towards the game of Polo. I humbly acknowledge the efforts of all those who had contributed in one way or the other; those humble teachers, those masters of the game who are no more and the founders of MHRPA, who had given their everything for this wonderful and noble game called Polo.

Concluded...