IMPHAL, November 29: “Of late, there has been an alarming decrease in the population of the indigenous polo ponies in Manipur”, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said today on the concluding day of the 9th Manipur Polo International 2015.
The Chief Minister said to protect the indigenous ponies from the threat of extinction the government of Manipur has initiated the establishment of an exclusive sanctuary for the Manipuri pony.
“I am sure the polo fraternity all over the world will surely appreciate to know of this initiative taken up by the Government of Manipur to protect the Manipuri Pony,” he said.
Further in his speech, he congratulated the officials of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association for their effort in organising the tournament, the 9th Manipur Polo International 2015 and making it a grand success.
This year the tournament played at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung- the oldest living pologround in the world was participated by teams from only India (Manipur), USA, Thailand, Australia and England.
The Chief Minister also thanked the polo players who had come from different parts of the globe to take part in the tournament and displayed their skills in the true spirit of the game.
Observing that Sagol Kangjei, which is now known as Polo, internationally, has been played in Manipur since time immemorial, he said “We are indebted to our forefathers who have handed down to us this game which has now become a popular game across the world.”
Sagol Kangjei has been played traditionally on the indigenous Manipuri pony, which is one of the five species identified by the Government of India, he added.
He further extended his invitation to all the international Polo fraternity to participate in the next year’s edition of the tournament.
The concluding day function was also attended by Rural Development and panchayati Raj Economic and Statistics minister Francis Ngajokpa as the president and Social Welfare/ Co-operation minister Ak Mirabai, MLAs Nemcha Kipgen and O Landhoni Devi as guests of honour and State Bank of India Guwahati chief general manager PVSLN Murty as special invitee.
Later in an exciting and well deserved final match, team USA defeated the India (Manipur)team by 5-4 in extra chukker.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/cm-highlights-initiatives-to-safeguard-pony-from-extinction/