4th 57 Mountain Division Polo Tournment : Nambul Mapal PC scrap past Meiraba PC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 23 2014: The prestigious 57 Mountain Division Polo tournament has been revived after a gap of two years with an impressive opening ceremony held today at Imphal Polo Ground in the presence of large number of army personnel and civil population of Imphal, highlighting interest in a heritage sport which originated in Manipur.

Fourteen teams will be contesting for top honours of the tournament.

GOC 57 Mountain Division Maj Gen Pradeep Moorti Bali, Deputy GOC of the Division Brig Anil Hooda and S Budhachandra, IAS (Retd), President Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association graced the occasion as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Speaking on the occasion Ch Suniti Devi of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo association complimented the GOC and the Indian army for supporting and promoting the traditional sporting culture of Manipur and for reviving the prestigious tournament after a gap of two years.

She also thanked the army for its endeavours in bringing peace and prosperity to the State and further complimented the organising committee of the army for their effort in conducting the tournament.

Maj Gen Pradeep Bali in his address wished all the participating teams the very best for the tournament and said that the competition addresses a basic human desire to stretch to the limit of potential.

He also mentioned that encouraging young people to broaden the horizons of their ambition is vital and competitive sport should play a major role in making that happen.

Assuring people of the State of the continued support from the army for promotion of traditional sports, he declared the fourth 57 Mountain Division Polo tournament 2014 open.

In the lone match played on the opening day today, Nambul Mapal Polo Club-A managed to edge past a fighting Meiraba Polo Club by a margin of 6 goals to 5 in an evenly contested match.

L Tarun took the Nambul Mapal team ahead in the first chukker when he sounded the board twice, with Th Premmkumar of Meiraba replying with one.

The 2nd chukker was evenly matched with S Girimoham and L Tarun finding the target for Nambul Mapal, while Meiraba also replied with two goals through Th Nanao and K Romeo.

The 3rd chukker too went the same way with S Girimohan of Nampbul Mapal scoring only to be neutralised by L Ashutosh.

In the 4th Chukker L Ashutosh of Meiraba scored to even the score and the match had to be taken to the extra chukker to decide the winner.

In the extra chukker, O Paikhomba Khuman of Nampbul Mapal came out with a brilliant display to score a goal and seal the match.

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