IMPHAL, NOV 15: After a gap of two years, the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) is all set to organise the 15th Manipur Polo International from November 22 to 29, 2025, at Mapal Kanjeibung (Polo Ground) in Imphal.
Addressing a press conference held at Uripok Ningthoukhonjam Leikai on Saturday, Prof. Ch Priyoranjan, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Tournament, announced that both Colombia and the United States have confirmed their participation in the 15th Manipur Polo International. He also mentioned that Spain and Italy are likely to join the tournament, pending final arrangements.
In addition to the international teams, Prof. Ch Priyoranjan announced that the India Polo Association (IPA) will be sending a team (India A). A team from Chhattisgarh and the Manipur team (India B) will also participate, completing the final line-up for the tournament.
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The Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association organised the first international tournament in 1991, and now, the 15th edition of the Manipur Polo International is set to unfold in the coming days. Over the years, this tournament has grown in popularity, attracting packed stands at Mapal Kangjeibung, where enthusiastic crowds, especially local supporters, cheer on their teams with unmatched fervor.
For foreign players, participating in the Manipur Polo International is more than just a sporting event—it’s a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the game. Mapal Kangjeibung, the oldest living polo ground in the world, is where Sagol Kangjei, the traditional Manipuri game, evolved into the modern sport of polo, a transformation later championed globally by the British. The tournament, therefore, stands as a celebration of the sport’s rich heritage and enduring legacy.
According to Prof. Chittaranjan, the Manipur Polo International Tournament has played a pivotal role in popularising polo among the youth of the state. As a result, a substantial number of young people have taken up the sport. He noted that, even by a conservative estimate, Manipur now boasts over 200 polo players. And most significantly, the tournament has become the face of the urgent need to save the Manipur Pony, the original mount of the game of pony.
Beyond popularising the sport, he highlighted that the Manipur Polo International Tournament has acted as a platform for local players to showcase their expertise and talent, and many organizations have taken cognizance. Today, many establishments have come forward and have accorded due recognition by taking them under their fold. Currently, polo players from Manipur are employed with the Veterinary Department, Manipur Police, and Assam Rifles, reflecting the growing recognition and value placed on their skills both on and off the field.
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The MHRPA appealed to the public to support the tournament, the endeavour to popularise the game, along with the core initiative to conserve the Manipuri Pony, which though uncertain and pessimistic over the years, is taking a positive turn with the various initiatives of the Government of Manipur, like the Polo Policy of 2016. The MHRPA, through this tournament and many others like the N Hazari, Governor’s cup, district level tournaments is committed to popularising the game while keeping a sharp focus on saving the Manipur Pony, the crown of it all.
N Bedajeet Singh, Chairman, Technical Committee, N Tombi Raj, Chairman Media Committee, and Col L Manongba (Retd), President Manipur Equestrian Association, were also at the press conference.