Australia lift 10th Manipur Intl Polo tournament
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2016: Australia Polo team were crowned the champions of the 10th Manipur International Polo tournament after they beat India-B (Manipur) 9-6 in the summit clash today at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung here.

The thrilling final attended by Governor of Manipur Dr Najma Heptulla, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar besides Social Welfare Minister Ak Mirabai and VC of CAU, Imphal Dr M Premjit Singh, brought a climactic end to the tournament.

In a befitting grand finale of the tournament, which began on Nov 22 as part of Manipur Sangai Festival, held under the aegis of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, the Australia and India B (Manipur) saw as many as 15 goals and also the home team's favourite, P Ojit's treble going in vain.

Australia lift 10th Manipur Intl Polo tournament

Adam Tolhurst handed Australia an early lead as he struck the opener in the 58th second of the first chukker.

However, P Ojit of the home team cancelled out the lead as he pulled the leveller in the 2.49' of the first chukker.

The home team then took the lead through S Bimol in the 5.36' of the first chukker.

The Australia team put up a spirited fight in the second chukker and restored parity in the same chukker.

Beam Bundell equalised the score in the 40th second of the second chukker.

The home team took another lead through P Ojit (3.20') in the second chukker only to be cancelled out by Adam Tolhurst in the 5th minute.

The home team could not exhibit their buoyancy and failed to maintain the pace they set in the first two chukker as they conceded four goals to the indomitable Australia in the third chukker.

Beam Bundell scored one in the 27th second while Jock Mackay grabbed a hat trick (3.11', 3.43' and 6.30') in the third chukker to boost the morale of the Australian team.

India-B failed to produce any score in the same chukker.

Jock Mackay asserted his class and struck another in the 16th second of the fourth chukker to make it 8-3 .

The home team pushed hard to equalise the score.

T Pradip, M Jawan and P Ojit took turn to hammer in a goal each in the 52nd second, 1.6' and 6.8' only to reduce the margin.

Adam Tolhurst added another goal to the Australia's account in the 6.20' of the fourth chukker.

The winners team got richer by Rs 1,00,000 while the runners-up team were given Rs 50,000 along with a trophy each.

The gala closing ceremony also marked the presentation of the best pony award of the tournament.

Dollar of Imphal Riding Club, Landaba of Ibudhou Thangjing Polo Club and Lion of Manipur Police Sports Club were adjudged the first, second and third position winners respectively.

Earlier in the day, USA beat England by a narrow margin of seven goals to six in the third place play off.

Band display by the Assam Rifles personnel, display of Arambai by the All Manipur Arambai Association, Imphal, exhibition of the original form of modern polo, Sagol pana kangjei, release of a souvenir and a book marked the closing ceremony.

Meanwhile, attending the closing function, PVSLN Murty, CGM, SBI NE Circle, Guwahati assured to provide one tractor with grass cutter to MHR&PA.

DP Bannerjee, Regional Manager (CC), LICI (EZO), Kolkata has also assured that LIC will sponsor maintenance of Manipuri Pony Breeding farm run by the association.

LN Phukan, GM (T), Assam Oil Division, IOCL has also assured to provide one riding lawn mower (auto suction) to the association.

MHR&PA has meanwhile thanked the State Govt, 57 Mtn Div, IGAR (S), NEC, ONGC, OIL India Ltd, NHPC, Tea Board of India, OIC, UBI, UCO Bank and others for the success of the tournament.