State Junior Boys and Women's Polo Tourney begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 28 2018:
The 2nd edition of State Junior Boy's Polo Tournament and 14th State Women's Polo Tournament kicked off today at Mapal Kangjeibung in the presence of titular king, Leishemba Sanajaoba as chief guest and Dr K Saratchandra Singh, president of All Manipur Polo Association as functional president.
The polo tournament being organised to commemorate the foundation day of All Manipur Polo Association (founded on December 28, 1955) will be witnessing 6 junior boy's (U-16) and 5 women's teams compete for top honours.
Speaking on the occasion, king Sanajaoba stressed that pony on whose backs Polo is played, should never be ignored.
He continued that pony has been an integral part of Manipur and has played a significant role in guarding the border of the State since time immemorial.
But these horses are being mistreated and majority are found roaming in the streets in search of food and shelter, he added.
Expressing his concern, king Sanajaoba also urged the State Government and the department concerned to look into the matter seriously and lay out a more successful and effective policy so that pony could get a life and better treatment they deserve.
Later the king tossed the kangdrum (ball) into the air to mark the opening of the inaugural match (U-16 boys) which was played between K&MM Riding School-A and Thangmeiband Youth Polo Club wherein the former had a convincing 5-0 victory.
Phijam Shantikumar led the scoring for K&MM Riding School-A chipping in three goals, one each in the 1st, third and the last chukker while Soibam Priyo struck twice in the second chukker to hand his team a comfortable start to the tournament.
The opening match of the women's competition played latter saw Thoubal District Polo Association drub Tentha Polo Club 10-0 and secure the semi-final berth.
Thoubal District Polo Association led the game 2-0 in the first chukker through goals scored by Asem Romabati and Laishram Thoibi before helping their team took a 5-0 lead till the break.
Salam Sunita scored a single in the second chukker while Oinam Ashakiran struck twice.
A Romabati, L Thoibi, S Sunita and O Ashakiran added one goal each in the third chukker to extend the lead to 9-0 while the last goal was scored by S Sunita in the last chukker.
X-Polo Club will meet K&MM Riding School-B in a quarter final match for junior boy's competition at 1 pm tomorrow while Thangmeiband Youth Polo Club-B will take on K&MM Riding School for a place in the final of the women's competition.