X-Polo Club, IRC emerge men's and women's champions :: Polo is associated with Manipuri history and culture : Guv
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, March 04 2023: Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey has said that polo is associated with the history and culture of Manipur and it has to be nurtured and developed in the world.

She was speaking at the closing function of 30th Governor's Cup Invitation Polo Tournament & 19th Governor's Cup Women's Polo Tournament, 2023, held today at Imphal Pologround (Mapal Kangjeibung) .

The Governor said, polo is a highly disciplined sport and there is ample scope to showcase talent and learn the spirit of discipline.

Player's passion for success and pursuit of excellence has become an integral part of the game, she said.

The Governor continued that, since ponies are equal partners of players in this particular game, their upkeep and proper maintenance need to be reiterated.

X-Polo Club, IRC emerge men's and women's champions

The State Government has already established a Pony Sanctuary at Heingang near the temple of Lord Marjing in Imphal East district.

It is indeed a good step to preserve this rare species, the Governor noted and appealed to the pony owners to keep their ponies in the sanctuary and not allow them to roam on the road.

Anusuiya Uikey further said, Manipur, though a relatively small State is indeed popularly known as the power house of sports of the country, the game of Polo is yet to gain momentum on the National scene.

Taking note of the Manipur Polo International, a tournament approved by the Indian polo Association and held at historic Mapal Kangjeibung which is the oldest polo ground in the world, she also lauded the participation of women in Polo.

She exuded confidence that women polo players will be able to bring laurels for the State in future.

She also heaped praises on the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association for their initiative in organizing the tournament and congratulated the winning teams and all other participating teams in the tournament.

The Governor also announced that the cash amount given to the winners of the tournament will be increased to Rs 1.5 lakh from next year.

She also handed over the trophies and cash awards to the winners of the tournaments.

Education Minister Th Basantakumar Singh while presiding over the closing function said, the present day Polo originated from Manipur.

Originally called Sagol Kangjei, it is one of the indigenous games of Manipur associated with Manipuri Pony.

Steps have been taken up to conserve the pony, he added.

Prof Ch Priyoranjan Singh, Hony President, Manipuri Pony Society, officials, players attended the closing function.

X-Polo Club, Wangkhei emerged the men's champions with a 9-4 thrashing of Manipur Police Sports Club-B while Imphal Riding Club, Uripok clinched the women's crown with a 10-2 win over Chingkheihunba Polo Club.

In the men's final, P Ojit took centrestage scoring 6 goals alone- one each in the opening two chukkers and two each in the last two chukkers while L Atangba scored twice.

L Atangba, Th Jacob and P Ojit found the goals for X-Polo Club in the opening chukker which also saw T Pradeepkumar adding twice for MPSC-B and O Suresh scoring one to make it 3-3 .

Ojit then added one in the next chuker to make it 4-3 at halfway break before adding twice in the third chukker to make it 6-3 .

In the last chukker L Atangbam completed his double while Ojit completed his haul for 6 goals to hand X-Polo Club a 9-4 victory as Pradeepkumar scored his third and MPSC-B's last goal in the fourth minute.

Meanwhile in the women's final, Kh Deventy scored 6 goals and Kh Habe scored four to hand IRC a huge 10-2 victory.

Habe scored two of two goals in the first chukker for IRC and Kh Chaoba pulled back a goal to make it 1-2 before Deventy added two in the second chuker for IRC to make it 4-2 as the second and the last goal for Chingkheihunba PC was scored by Nameirakpam Felicia.

Deventy then scored two goals each in the 3rd and the 4th chukker and Habe added a goal each in the said chukker to complete the 10-2 rout.