Mail News Service
Imphal, Nov 29 : Manipur (India B) has won the coveted trophy of the 6th Manipur Polo International tournament. In a thrilling final played here today at the Imphal Polo ground Manipur (India B) defeated and IPA (India A) 15-5.
The IPA team started the game with a goal in the very first minute but could not match the skill of the Manipur team who with eased passed the ball into the goal. Manipur players delighted the packed stadium with amazing horsemanship and displayed their skill by scoring at will.
The semi final matches were played yesterday and in the first match Manipur defeated Thailand 9-1. In the second semi final match IPA ( India A) team defeated England 5-3.
Manipur Governor handed over the trophy to the Manipur team and declared the tournament close. A thrilling Pana Kangjei (Manipur polo style) exhibition match participated by Manipur players and four foreign teams, France, England, Germany and Thailand was also played.
The 6th Manipur Polo International 2012 was held as part of the Manipur Sangai festival 2012.
Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai, Agriculture minister Md Abdul Nasir, Parliamentary Secretary Youth Affairs and Sports M Prithiviraj also attended the function.
A souvenir of the 6th Manipur Polo International 2012 was later released by Governor Gurbachan at the event.
Six teams including England, France, Germany, Thailand, India-A (IPA) and India-B (Manipur) took part in the tournament.
Thanking the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, Manipur for organizing the tournament, Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, Chairman, Hurlingham Polo Association, England announced that the Englsih polo association would generously donate Rs 2 lakh to the Manipuri polo association.
The Polo tournament was organsied under the theme: “Manipur Gave the World, the Game of Polo: Let Us Save Manipuri Polo, the Original Polo Pony.” The international event was first held in the year 1991 at the Mapal Kangjeibung.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-lift-sixth-international-polo-trophy/