After a gap of two years, the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association (MHRPA) is organising the 15th Manipur Polo International from November 22 to November 29 at Mapal Kangjeibung in Imphal, informed Prof Ch Priyoranjan, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the tournament, at a press meet held at Uripok Ningthoukhonjam Leikai on Saturday.
Colombia and the United States have confirmed their participation in the 15th Manipur Polo International, while Spain and Italy are likely to join if all goes well. Along with these teams, the India Polo Association (IPA) will also send a team (India A), while a team from Chhattisgarh and the Manipur team (India B) will complete the line-up.
The Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association organised the first international tournament in 1991, and this year’s 15th edition will unfold in the coming days. Over the years, the tournament has gained popularity and has consistently witnessed packed stands at Mapal Kangjeibung, with crowds cheering enthusiastically, especially for the local players.
For the foreign players participating in the Manipur Polo International, the event is not just a competition but a pilgrimage to the birthplace of polo — the oldest living polo ground in the world — and to the traditional game of Sagol Kangjei, which later evolved into modern polo after being propagated globally by the British.
The Manipur Polo International has significantly popularised the game among the youth of the state, with a substantial number taking up the sport, stated Prof Ch Chittaranjan during the press meet. Today, even with conservative estimates, Manipur has over 200 polo players. More importantly, the tournament has become the face of the movement to save the Manipuri Pony, the original mount of the game.
Besides this, the tournament has served as a platform for local players to showcase their skills and talent, drawing recognition from various organisations. Many establishments have come forward to support polo players by offering them employment. Currently, polo players from the state are employed with the Veterinary Department, Manipur Police, and the Assam Rifles.
The MHRPA appealed to all to support the tournament and the ongoing effort to promote polo alongside the core initiative to conserve the Manipuri Pony. Though the situation surrounding the pony has been uncertain over the years, it is now taking a positive turn with several government initiatives, including the Polo Policy of 2016. Through this tournament and others such as the N Hazari Cup, Governor’s Cup, and various district-level tournaments, the MHRPA remains committed to promoting the game while keeping a strong focus on preserving the Manipuri Pony — the crown of it all.
N Bedajeet Singh, Chairman of the Technical Committee, N Tombi Raj, Chairman of the Media Committee, and Col L Manongba (Retd), President of the Manipur Equestrian Association, also attended the press conference.
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