The origin of modern Polo began in Manipur with Sangloi Kanglei, a game played sitting on the top of locally breed ponies. It is for the second time that women on ponies will play polo to observe the Manipur day of statehood on January 21 which attained statehood in 1972.
The tournament began last year with the idea to popularize Polo. The Capital city of Imphal will once again witness breathtaking strokes from women polo players not only from Manipur but across the world. This five-day tournament is organized by the All Manipur Polo Association in collaboration with Manipur state government.
The government has laid special efforts to popularize polo to create women empowerment in the state. “There are future plans to develop a national women’s polo team, with major participation by players from Manipur,” spoke a senior sports official.
Sangol Kangjei, an indigenous legendary sport of Manipur is gaining its momentum as one of the favorites among the people.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Tourism Department has collaborated with Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association in organizing Manipur Polo International. This race is a part of Manipur Sangai Festival and will be held in the oldest living polo ground of the world, Mapal Kangjeibung.
Internationally adopted and played around the world, the game of Polo is a gift to the world by Manipur.
In January of 2016 Ministry of Tourism, Rajasthan Polo Club, and Rajasthan Tourism, organized an India-USA Women’s Polo Exhibition match at Rambagh Polo Ground, Jaipur to take polo to new heights in the nation.
