Share
The winner and runners-up of the Manipur Polo International 2018. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 29 (EMN): Defending champion India (B) polo team beat England to retain its title in the 12 edition of the Manipur Polo International 2018.
India (B) polo team comprising of Manipur players beat England team polo team by a margin of 7-4 goals in the final match of the Manipur Polo International played at Imphal Polo ground – Mapal Kangjeibung, one of the oldest living polo ground in the world located in the heart of Imphal city this afternoon.
The scorers of the India (B) team were S Ojit (4), Th Kaoba (2) and S Bimol (1), while the scorers of England were George Amor (2), Henry Amor (1) and Ben Eeley (1).
In one of their previous league matches of the tournament which was held here under the aegis of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) since November 22, India (B) had also defeated England team with a similar goal margin of 7-4.
Manipur Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla and the Manipur assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand attended the closing function of the polo tourney as the special guests. Almost all the key functionaries and members of the MHRPA led by its president H Deleep also attended in the closing function wherein a souvenir was also released.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Heptulla said, “The polo tournament has added a different flavour to the festival and it has been made grander by the participation of the foreign teams and players.” She added that the presence of the foreign teams and players has given fresh impetus to the popularity of the game.
This time altogether five teams comprising India (A) representing Indian Polo Association; India (B) representing Manipur; England, USA and Uruguay participated in the nine-day international level tournament held as part of Manipur's annual Sangai Festival. The festival would conclude on November 30.
Interestingly, both Sangai festival and Polo tourney highlighted two animals endemic to Manipur that are nearing extinction. They are Sangai, a critically endangered brow-antlered deer found in the marshy wetland of Keibul Lamjao located about 45 km south of Imphal under Bishnupur district, and Manipur ponies- whose number is fast declining and left just 500 plus due to various reasons.