Polo team launched, field inaugurated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 13 2016: In a bid to save the game of polo and popularize it, a new polo team namely 'Heingang Pana' has been launched at Ipudhou Marjing Khubam, Heingang Ching in Imphal East district today.

As part of the function, a newly constructed practice field located nearby was also inaugurated.

Known as 'Sagol Kangjei' in local parlance, polo origi- nated in Manipur and Ibu- dhou Marjing is believed to have invented the game.

The new team was laun- ched by Manipur Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray who attended the function as the chief guest.

Heingang AC MLA N Biren was the functional president while Saikot MLA TN Haokip, Lamlai MLA Ksh Biren, Sugnu MLA K Ranjit, Nambol MLA N Loken and Heingang Gram Panchayat Pradhan L Manihar were the guests of honour.

Preshow Shimray stated that the initiative of Ipudhou Marjing Khubam Kanba Lup (IMKHUKAL) must be en- couraged as it is an important step towards popularizing the game.

He added that the efforts of the State Government re- garding development of the game and implementation of pony breeding programme would not serve any purpose if there is no support from the general public.

He urged the people to extend cooperation to the Government in saving Mani- puri ponies.

He also urged the public to contribute their mites in developing 'Heingang Pana'.

In his speech, N Biren said that people should not bring politics in development works and sports.

If people of the area con- tinue to protest for conservation and preservation of ponies, the game of polo would suffer badly in the long run.

He further said that the State Government had sanctioned a Rs 12 crore project to install a 160- feet high statue of a polo player on the top of the nearby hill to mark the birthplace of polo.

The MLA also urged the people to extend their support in the endeavour of IMKHUKAL to popularize polo in the area.

Comment