Governor's Cup: X-Polo Club, Imphal RC crowned champions
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 18 2025: X-Polo Club won the 31st Governor's Cup Invitation Polo Tournament 2025, while Imphal Riding Club were crowned champions of the 20th Governor's Cup Women's Polo Tournament in a thrilling day of polo action at Mapal Kangjeibung on Friday.

X-Polo Club secured a commanding 5-2 victory over MPSC in the men's final.

The winners took an early lead in the first chukker, with Th Santosh and L Atangba finding the mark to make it 2-0 .

Governor's Cup: X-Polo Club, Imphal RC crowned champions

The second chukker saw X-Polo extend their advantage through L Kokeshwor, though MPSC pulled one back courtesy of T Pradeep, leaving the score at 3-1 .

A fiercely contested third chukker yielded no further goals, but X-Polo sealed their triumph in the fourth, with Th Jacob netting twice to ensure a resounding 5-2 victory.

S Abungcha managed a late consolation for MPSC.

In a pulsating women's final, Imphal Riding Club staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Assam Rifles Polo 7-6 in extra time.

Assam Rifles started strongly, with Veronica Oinam scoring twice and Victoria Oinam adding another to establish a 3-1 lead after the first chukker, while Th Tana struck for Imphal Riding.

The second chukker saw H Pitu Devi extend Assam Rifles' advantage, but Imphal Riding fought back through M Priya and Kh Habe, narrowing the deficit to 4-3 .

The momentum shifted in the third chukker as Th Tana and Habe (with her second goal) turned the tide, putting Imphal Riding 5-4 ahead, though Veronica completed her hat-trick to keep Assam Rifles in contention at 6-5 .

Governor's Cup: X-Polo Club, Imphal RC crowned champions

A dramatic fourth chukker saw Veronica net her fourth goal to level the scores at 6-6, forcing an extra chukker.

However, it was Imphal Riding who held their nerve, with M Priya delivering the decisive blow to clinch a thrilling 7-6 victory.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, accompanied by the first lady, graced the closing cer-mony.

The Governor and the first lady presented awards to the winners and participants, commending their skill, sportsmanship, and commitment to the game.

Governor Bhalla also formally declared the tournaments closed.

The closing event was attended by several dignitaries, including principal secretary Arun Kumar Sinha and Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association (MHRPA) honorary president H Deleep Singh, among others.