Great Britain crowned champions of Statehood Day Women's Polo tournament
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 21 2020: The 5th Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo Tournament, organised by Manipur Tourism at Mapal Kangjeibung came to an end with Great Britain lifting the winners trophy.

Appreciating the Tourism Department for organising Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo Tournament for the last few years successfully particularly on the statehood day of Manipur, chief guest of the occasion, Governor, Dr Najma Heptulla told that since Polo is the heritage of Manipur, its revival is not only a necessity but also the duty of every Manipuri.

Great Britain crowned champions of Statehood Day Women's Polo tournament

The role of dedicated voluntary organizations and their tireless efforts to revive and invigorate polo in its birth place is indeed tremendous, she contended.

She stated that due to the pressing needs of food, most of the grazing grounds in rural areas have been converted into paddy fields and consequently, fodder has become scarce and the maintenance of ponies has become prohibitive.

Grounds where Polo can be played comfortably have also become rare.

Expressing her happiness on Government's establishment of a Pony Sanctuary at Heingang in Imphal East District, the Governor said that it is indeed a very good step taken up by the State Government to preserve the rare pony breed which are equal partner with his rider on the field during a Polo game.

She appealed to all pony owners to keep their ponies in the sanctuary and not allow them to roam here and there in the road as preserving and protecting pony is the responsibility of all citizens of the State.

In his speech, All Manipur Polo Association's president, Dr K Saratchandra Singh told maintained that most people of the state, irrespective of their age and sex, like the game of polo, which is also the State's game.

He continued that women polo in Manipur started at late 1980s and Manipur Statehood Day Women's Polo Tournament is organised to enhance the promotion of this game with the motto, 'women polo, women power' .

Before starting today's formal function, many cultural troupes showcased Pena Yakairol, Maibi Jagoi, Pung Cholom and Thang-Ta.

In the final match staged today, Rosana Turk and Alice Walsh scored two goals each to ensure Great Britain a 5-2 win forcing USA to contend with runners up title yet again.

USA and Great Britain were on level terms till halfway with score locked at 2-2 but the latter team enjoyed better possession and scoring chances in the latter chukkers before closing the game 5-2 .

Rosana Turk opened up the account after 2.24 minutes of the opening chukker while Brdget Sibson pulled back a goal for USA in the 6th minute to make it 1-1 .

Alice Walsh who has been in prolific form helped Great Britain regain the lead when the second chukker was not even a half minute old but USA fought back two draw level once again, this time through Pamela Flanagan.

After playing out a 2-2 draw till the end of second chukker, Great Britain were seen creating more chances and it was Alice Walsh who rode deep into a comfortable zone before chipping in her second goal and broke the deadlock.

Lorna Broughton then handed Great Britain the two goal lead lately in the last minute of the third chukker as USA failed to connect with the ball before Rosana Turk struck home the final goal in the 3rd minute of the last chukker.

Altogether 6 teams representing USA, Great Britain, Argentina, Egypt, IPA (India-A) and Manipur (India-B) participated in this year's edition.