CM reaffirms stand to protect Manipuri pony
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, February 15 2023:
Chief Minister N Biren inaugurated the 6th Women's International Polo Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung, here, on Wednesday.
The tournament, which is being organised by Manipur Tourism in association with All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA), will be participated by five teams namely South Africa, Luxembourg, India (IPA), India (Manipur-A) and India (Manipur-B) .
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of the tournament, Biren welcomed the participating teams.
Mentioning that the Women's International Polo Tournament has been made a calendar event, he said the 6th edition is being organised after a gap of two years due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The CM continued that Manipur is famous for 'Polo' and the state is regarded as the birthplace of modern polo.
People of the state are proud of their forefathers for gifting this game to the world.
Such a tournament would not only help in projecting the state as the birthplace of the game, but would also serve as a platform for promoting and preserving the game and the endangered breed of Manipuri Pony.
Biren further said that Sagol Kangjei is not just a game, but symbolises the role of Manipuri pony and the techniques of warfare possessed by the Manipuri soldiers in defending the sovereignty of Manipur during the olden days.
Manipuri ponies have always been a part of the state's civilisation and its culture, he added.
Mentioning that Chief Minister's Sagol Kangjei Championship was organised for the first time during the Sangai Festival 2022, he said that the uniqueness is the use of horse, which is wild in nature, as a part of the game by the forefathers.
Keeping in view of the necessity of conservation of the endangered horse breed 'pony', the Manipur Police Department had introduced Sagol Police.
Apart from this, 10 horses will be reared at each battalion of state's armed forces.
Informing that breeding grounds for pony have been developed at Pangei and Lamphelpat, he appealed to the pony breeders to take their horses to the breeding ground so that they do not wander on the roads and cause disturbances to the traffic, especially during the G20 events.
Concluding his speech, the CM expressed confidence that the tournament would go a long way in establishing the state as a polo tourism destination in India.
Youth affairs and sports minister Govindas Konthoujam, who also attended the inaugural function, stated that multiple tournaments of Sagol Kangjei and Polo had been started at various places of the state under the initiative of the chief minister, to promote the game and to preserve the endangered horse breed.
People of the state should appreciate the CM for such initiatives.
The minister continued that many teams from different countries came to the state and participated in polo tournaments organised on different occasions.
It shows that the game is becoming popular day by day, which is a dream come true for the CM, he said and extended his best wishes to the participating teams.
During the inaugural function, the CM hoisted the flag of All Manipur Polo Association.
Band display by 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles band and showcasing of Manipur Indigenous Martial Arts - Thang Ta and Pung Cholom were other highlights of the inaugural programme.
Textiles, commerce and industries minister Nemcha Kipgen, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba, Planning and Development Authority chairman MLA L Rameshwor, Manipur Electronics Development Corporation (MANIDCO) chairman MLA S Kunjakeswor, Hiyanglam MLA Dr Yumnam Radheshyam, Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti, Wangoi MLA Khuraijam Loken, Oinam MLA Irengbam Nalini, AMPA president Dr K Saratchandra and senior government officials also attended the programme among others.
The first match was played between South Africa and Manipur-A (India) followed by the second match between Luxembourg and IPA (India) .
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