Manipur Polo International: UK thrash Indian Navy 16-0

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 21 (EMN): The United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday thrashed Indian Navy 16-0 in the opening match of the 14^th Manipur Polo International tournament played at Mapal Kangjeibung, the oldest living pologround in the world located in the heart of Imphal town.

Indian Navy did not have any answer to the relentless onslaught of UK in their debut match as UK players Harry Tucker and Phil Seller played splendidly, scoring six and five goals respectively.

Phil Seller opened the account for the UK as early as in the 47^th minute of the first chukkar following it up with another goal in the 1.10^th minute. Jack Tucker increased UK’s lead to 3-0 in the 3.43^rd minute.

Thereafter, Tucker added two more goals in the 4.03^rd minute and 6.42^nd minute to end the first chukkar 5-0 in favour of UK.

The second chukkar was played in the same fashion as the first with the UK team pumping in five more goals. The Indian team once again failed to open their account and did not come anywhere near scoring a goal.

The five goals were scored by Tucker in the .49^th minute, George Amore in 1.10^th minute and 4.2^nd minute and Phil Seller in 1.50^th minute and 3.01 minute respectively.

The Indian Navy had some respite in the third chukkar as only two goals were scored against them. The goal scorers for the UK team in this chukkar were George Amore in the 3.2^nd 2 minute and Jack Tucker in the 4.44^th minute.

The fourth and final chukkar saw the UK team once again back in their devastating form banging in four more goals, to win the match 16-0. Harry Tucker, who had a very good match, scored three goals in this chukkar while the other goal was scored by Phil Seller.

Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh officially kicked off the 14^th edition of the Manipur Polo International.

Singh in his inaugural address said the state government will soon be developing polo grounds in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur. The chief minister said this will ensure that district-level polo tournaments have adequate infrastructure and facilities to host tournaments.

“These polo grounds will also give our international guests the unique experience of playing polo just as our forefathers did in the ancient past,” he said.

Further, highlighting on pony conservation measures taken up in the state, the chief minister said the state government is developing a ‘Pony Reserve’ and also helping the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association to create a ‘Polo and Pony Complex’ on the 31 acres of land granted to them. He also informed on introduction of the ‘Sagol gi Police’ (or mounted police force).

Singh also said that the government has started the ‘1^st Chief Minister’s Sagol Kangjei Championship’ in the Manung Kangjeibung or Inner Polo Ground which is located inside the Kangla and added, “We believe this traditional polo tournament will keep the links between modern and traditional polo.”