IMPHAL, Nov 24 MNS NNN : The 6th Manipur Polo International has kickstarted at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung (Pologround) here on Saturday. Four international teams from England, France, Germany and Thailand are participating at the tournament.
\nThe Polo tournament is being organized by Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) under the theme: \u201cManipur Gave the World, the Game of Polo: Let Us Save Manipuri Polo, the Original Polo Pony.\u201d The international tournament is being organised as part of the ongoing Sangai Festival 2012 at Hapta Kangjeibung in Palace Compound. The international event was first held in the year 1991 at the Mapal Kangjeibung, the world\u2019s oldest Polo ground located in the heart of Imphal.
\nSix teams including Indian Polo Association (IPA), also known as India-A and India-B from Manipur, apart from the four international teams are participating at the competition. In the first match played Manipur (India- B) defeated England 14 \u2013 5 while in the second match Thailand defeated French 11-4. Tomorrow Germany will play against England and IPA ( India- A) against Thailand.
\nThe tournament shall be conducted on league cum knock out basis
\nSpeaking at the inaugural function of the 6-day Polo tournament, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said Sagol Kangjei, that is Polo, is one of the cultural heritage of the people of Manipur, which has spread all over the world as a competitive sport.
\nHe said: \u201cIn Manipur, Polo or Sagol Kangjei, has been a common man\u2019s game during our ancient past and even during the colonial days. Today, however, the game is now becoming an urban sport.\u201d
\nThe Government of Manipur has allotted 30 acre of land for the integrated development of Polo in the greater Imphal area, Gaikhangam informed while adding that the (MHRPA) is also running a pony breeding farm under Government sponsorship.
\n\u201cThis, I am sure, will be able to supply Polo ponies at the affordable prices. I congratulate the association and its members, for all their sincere efforts for the preservation and popularization of Polo in Manipur, and for organizing the 6th Manipur Polo International,\u201d the Deputy CM added.
\nHe further informed that the state Government had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for organizing this tournament.
\nVeterinary & Animal Husbandry minister Govindas KonthoujamGovindas Konthoujam, Minister(Vety. & AH), President of Inaugural Ceremony of the 6th Manipur Polo said
\nThe ancient game of polo, an unique heritage of the people of Manipur, is embedded in it\u2019s chequered history along with, the essence of the people\u2019s historic joys and sorrows, and it\u2019s very existence and regeneration. Polo is the product of a leisurely way of life and the absolute need of the people, to develop horsemanship for defence preparedness. Polo players of distinction received the king\u2019s royal patronage in terms of land grants and social status.
\n6th Manipur Polo International 2012 is being organized for two specific reasons. Firstly to facilitate polo lovers of the world to play the game in the place of its birth There has been a tremendous response to the tournament from all over the world, and the organizers are having difficulties in accommodating all the requests for participation. Secondly, the tournament serves the objectives of saving the original polo pony.
\nManipur Government has been giving an annual grant of Rupees seven lakh for maintenance of the Pony Breeding Farm run by the Association. From this year onwards the annual grant will be increased to Rupees ten lakh. The SBI, Canara Bank, ONGC also donated Rs 10 lakhs each to the organizers
\nHurlingam Polo Association, England, Chairman Nicholas also spoke at the opening ceremony of the Polo tournament. He said, \u201cManipur is the maker of Polo.\u201d
\n\u201cI had been dreaming about visiting Manipur, the origin of Polo, for a long time but today my dream has come true.\u201d He said Manipur is considered to be the Mecca of polo players.
\nHe said the decision to organize this tournament was taken in Kolkata in December last year after he and a group of representatives from MHRPA met and discussed about it. Nicholas has made a lot of contributions in organizing the international event.
\nLok Sabha MPs, Dr T Meinya (Inner) and Thangso Baite (Outer), and Hurlingam Polo Association, England Chairman, Colquhoun- Denvers also took part at the function.<\/p>\n\n