India (B) defeats England in Polo final

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November, 29: India (B) has won the 13th Manipur Polo International by beating England by 6-5 chukkers in the final match played at Mapal Kangjeibung, here.

Manipur governor Najma Heptulla handed the  trophies and cash awards of Rs 1 lakh  and Rs 50 ,000 to team India ( B) and England respectively.

Manipur Polo International 2019  wad organised as part of the Manipur Sangai  Festival 2019.

The governor  expressed her appreciation to the initiative already taken up by the state government to establish a pony sanctuary at Heingang is a very positive step in preserving this breed. She also encouraged all the pony owners to protect and preserved the ponies as the breed is under threat and their numbers are slowly decreasing due to lack of proper preservation. She said the Manipuri pony which is one of the five recognised breeds of ponies and horses in India. Polo has its origin in Manipur and as per historical records indicates that it was played in different parts of the world at different time but it was lost in antiquity except in Manipur where it was a popular game, she added.

She congratulated the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association for their initiative in organising this International event, inviting teams from other parts of the globe and hopeful that  Manipur will be placed at Polo map of the world, which is richly deserves.