Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association was established in 1977. The objectives of the Association was to promote the popular game (Polo) to its original standard by raising the professional level, to ensure the survival of the original polo pony-the Manipuri Pony and to educate the young Manipuri’s the need of preserving this game as a sport and take it up as a profession. All of the teams are mounted by the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association and therefore, all teams have been playing on Manipuri ponies, for which the International aims to increase awareness for the plight of the tremendously tough indigenous breed. Typically standing between 11hh and 13hh they are now struggling to survive against the decrease of their natural habitats, due to rapid urbanisation, with numbers as low as only 400 ponies.
The dedicated effort of the Association has led to a large scale proliferation of polo Clubs and players in the state. The Associations has been instrumental in providing jobs to these players in the state govt. departments and also is the Indian Army. The Association played a pivotal role in the construction of the oldest Polo ground in the world, The Mapal Kangjebung at Imphal.
The 10th Manipur Polo International 2016 will be held along with Sangai Tourism Festival from November 22-29, 2016 at the Imphal Polo ground.
Polo Teams from ENGLAND, AUSTRALIA, USA, GERMANY, KENYA and THAILAND are participating in the tournament. India A (IPA) & India B (Manipur) will be other two teams for the International Polo Tournament.
10th Manipur Polo International 2016 teams:
England Team: George Shelton (1), Alec Banner-Eve (2), Kaveh Atrak (0) & Phil Seller (2)
Australian Team: Scott Kennedy-Green (1), Beau Blundell (2), Adam Tolhurst (4), Jock Mackay (4) & Coach/Manager – Dick Doolin (3)
USPA Team: Lucas Reid (1), Loreto Natividad (2), George Krabbe (1) & Ryan Cronin-Prather (1.5)
