1st Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 21 2016:
Organised under the theme to
promote tourism industry in
the State, the 1st Manipur
Statehood Day Women's
Polo Tournament which
began from Jan 17 concluded
today at Mapal Kangjeibung,
Imphal which is dubbed as the
oldest living polo ground in
the world.
Shirui clinched the
champion's trophy by defeating
United States Polo
Association (USPA) by a
margin of 6 goals to five.
Chief Minister O Ibobi
graced the closing function
as the chief guest while
Deputy Chief Minister
Gaikhangam attended as
special guest.
USPA International
Committee member Edward
J Armstrong, PDA chairman
T Mangibabu and
Lamlai A/C MLA Ksh
Biren and USPA coach
Steve Armour also attended
the closing function.
Prior to the final match a
cultural dance was presented
for the spectators.
Addressing the closing
function, the Chief Minister
congratulated the Tourism
Department for conceptualizing
and implementing the
project of introducing the
first Women Polo Tournament
in collaboration with
All Manipur Polo Association,
the Huntre !
Adventures led by Somi
Roy and Edward
Armstrong who have been
supportive throughout the
tournament.
Further he added that
pony lovers of the State
have expressed serious concern
regarding the sharp
decline in population
of the ponies.
Since these
animals have a long relation
with the people of Manipur,
the State Government has
initiated steps to ensure not
only the survival of this
breed of pony but also to
ensure its propagation, he
stated.
'The State Government
is in the process of drafting
a comprehensive Pony
Policy, which will take
into accounts the scientific
management, establishment
of their sanctuary in
those areas where its population
is concentrated,
breeding, export etc," O
Ibobi said
The policy will also include
formation of a Pony
Board, which will include
experts from various
fields and lovers of
the animal and will
oversee the implementation
of the provisions of
the policy, he added.
Further he said that
the slogan "No Pony-No
Polo" has been able to
spread awareness among
the people and hoped
that people will extend
their support in this endeavour
to save the last
surviving pony breed of
Manipuri Pony.
In the first chukker of
the final match, Shirui captain
Julia Smith scored three
goals in the 1:49th, 2:05th
and 6:25th minute while
USPA captain scored one
goal in the 5:04th minute.
In the second chukker,
Julia Smith struck home
two goals in the 5:16th and
7:14th minute.
In third chukker, Julia
Smith again scored a goal
in 1:45th minute for Shirui
while N Ashakiran Devi
and Tiamo Hudspeth of
USPA found their targets
in the 5:45th and 7th minute
respectively.
In the final chukker,
USPA showed signs of recovery
and scored two
consecutive goals to equalize
the score.
Shirui's Tiamo and
Ashakiran scored two goals
in quick succession in the
4:08th and 4.20th minute
respectively to make the final
scoreline 6-5 against
USPA.
Comment
