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The 14th Manipur Polo International
Success for United Kingdom in Manipur
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N Ibungochoubi reports
The Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) organised the 14th edition of Manipur Polo International, 2022 after a lull of two years owing to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. Five teams participated: United States of America, United Kingdom, Indian Navy, India A (IPA) and India B (Manipur) and the Manipur Polo International was received and celebrated with joy and gaiety by the people, especially the sports aficionados of Manipur.
The format of the Manipur Polo International was a round robin league, so each team had the opportunity of playing against all the participating teams. The oldest polo ground still being used in the world came to life yet again as thousands of spectators thronged the Mapal Kangjeibung. The week-long event truly signified the much-awaited event of playing the game on the original polo pony at this historic venue.
With a theme of Save the Manipuri Pony, the MHRPA has been creating an awareness among the people of Manipur to save the rare breed by organising polo tournaments and its sister organisation, Manipur Equestrian Association is conducting equestrian events for the young riders of the state. The dwindling number of Manipuri ponies in the land that gave the game of polo to the world is becoming a serious challenge and the Manipur Polo International organised by the MHRPA assumes a greater role to generate public opinions to save the breed. The people of Manipur are proud inheritors of a great civilization. The socio-cultural heritage their ancestors left behind is a legacy, which faces an uncertain future, the challenges of keeping the traditions alive is a herculean task. While many indigenous games are practiced, Sagol Kangjei, a game played on these ponies, may be a thing of the past if the creature becomes extinct. The only solution is to let the ponies return to their natural habitats, which the so called modern and fast growing populations have encroached upon.
22 NOV 29 NOV FINAL
The 14th Manipur Polo International Tournament Scores
22 November: United Kingdom beat Indian Navy, 16-0 23 November: India B beat India A, 8-3 24 November: USA beat Indian Navy, 13-6 & United Kingdom beat India A, 9-4 25 November: India B beat Indian Navy & United Kingdom beat USA, 8-3 26 November: India A beat Indian Navy, 6-2 & India B beat USA, 9-5 27 November: India A beat USA, 5-2 & India B beat United Kingdom, 8-7 29 November: Final Match – United Kingdom beat India B, 10-8
Where: Manipur, India
India-B (Manipur): T Pradeep Kumar, L Thomson, L Rohit, S Bimol Singh (Coach), L Atangba, P Ojit & S Sadananda Indian Navy: Lt Cdr Kulvinder Rathee, Altar Khan, APO, Cdr Ashwani Kumar Panchal, Capt A P Singh & Lt Arun Kumar India -A (IPA): Maj Aman Singh, Swr D Santosh, Ranshay Purohit & Syed Hurr Ali
The 14th Manipur Polo International Final Teams United Kingdom
Jack Tucker Philip Seller Harry Tucker George Amor
India B (Manipur)
T Pradeep Kumar L Thomson L Rohit L Atangba P Ojit S Sadananda
Team USA: Jorge Vasquez, JP Vasquez, Christina Boland, Nicholas Feldman & William Boland Action from the Final between the United Kingdom and India B (Manipur)
Photography courtesy of MHRPA United Kingdom: Jack Tucker, Philip Seller, Harry Tucker & George Amor
One of the most interesting highlights of the 14th edition of the Manipur Polo International was the final match of the round robin league on Sunday 27 November between United Kingdom and India B (Manipur). Both the teams, assured of their berth in the Final, enthralled the spectators in a nail-biting finish that went in favour of the local boys over the United Kingdom (8-7). The cheers that came as a resurgence after the break of polo activities following the pandemic will reverberate for a long time and will be cherished by the people of Manipur.
During the much-awaited final match, the energetic crowd gave the spirited United Kingdom team the biggest and loudest cheer. From being 3-4 down in the first chukka, the United Kingdom team turned the match by 5-0 in the second chukka. The rest is history as the crowd cheered-inviting the United Kingdom again to defend the coveted trophy. The 10-8 win by the United Kingdom was well deserved; the team arrived two days in advance and worked hard to acquaint themselves with the playing conditions on the Manipuri ponies.
The Hurlingham Polo Association’s decision to send the team as United Kingdom instead of England encouraged the organisers for recognising the significance and importance of the Manipur Polo International, which is held every year from 22 – 29 November.
The global attention and the alarming decrease in the population of Manipuri ponies, which according to the latest report of the quinquennial livestock census is around 1,000, is a constant reminder to the present generation. The pride of having gifted the world the game of polo, the opportunity to play on the oldest polo ground and on the original polo pony makes The Manipur Polo International a unique tournament.
Hundreds of polo players from Manipur and pony owners are determined to save the almost critically endangered breed. The Manipur Polo International and the local polo tournaments organised by the MHRPA play a pivotal role in giving great momentum to the movement. The Hurlingham Polo Association and the United States Polo Association have been a source of inspiration since the inception of the Manipur Polo International in its first year 1991. The Indian Navy team making its maiden appearance in the Manipur Polo International marks yet another beginning.
However, the task ahead of the MHRPA and the people of Manipur is beyond even the wildest imagination. With the population of the Manipuri pony breed estimated to be less than 600, the apprehensions loom large as to how polo can survive in the birthplace of the game.
