My City, My Life : Mapal Kangjeibung decays
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2009: Definitely, Mapal Kangjeibung (Pologround) is one of the most historic and living landmarks of Imphal city.

In fact, Mapal Kangjeibug is the pride of Manipur, not only for its historical significance but for being one of the oldest pologrounds in the world.

But when it comes to maintenance, Mapal Kangjeibung tells a pathetic tale, despite being one of the most prized assets of the people of Manipur.

Mapal Kangjeibung and its surroundings present a pathetic picture.

Signs of negligence are writ large on the gallery including VIP gallery, dressing room, toilets and other amenities.

The toilets have deteriorated to such a condition that none of them stand to serve their very purpose.

Filth piling up on the western side of Mapal Kangjeibung

Before elected Governments came into being in Manipur, when it was under monarchy, Mapal Kangjeibung was the most important place of gathering for people.

Since ages, Mapal Kangjeibung was the most prominent ground for playing Sagol Kangjei (Polo) .

With the passage of time and establishment of democratic Government in the State, Mapal Kangjeibung started playing host to different events like public meetings, festivals and sports championships.

It also served as a recreation park for many people, particularly aged denizens of Imphal.

In tandem with the growth of sports movement in Manipur, Mapal Kangjeibung gained greater prominence.

Subsequently Mapal Kangjeibung was divided into two parts.

The eastern portion went under the care of Planning and Development Authority (PDA) while the western portion was taken care of by the Mapal Kangjeibung Use, Preservation and Maintenance Committee.

Since then, the western portion was reserved for State and National level sports tournaments and festivals.

Just as the Mapal Kangjeibung Use, Preservation and Maintenance Committee has been authorised to give permission for organising sports tournaments and festivals, the same committee is responsible for repairing and maintaining the ground, the gallery and all other associated assets.

Though the committee is entrusted to take care of the prized field, it is in shambles in a shameful condition.

While grasses growing in the middle of the field have not been trimmed in time, grasses growing in the periphery are already knee-high.

Dungs of horses left behind after polo and other horse-riding sports tournaments have not been removed yet.

Waste papers, wrappers of packaged food items and rubbish materials left behind by spectators are also lying strewn all around.

Toilets located inside VIP gallery have gone out of order.

The dressing room is in a shabby and filthy condition with some of its window panes broken.

Both the galleries to the left and right of the VIP galley are also irritatingly dirty.

Toilets located beneath the galleries are completely out of shape.

Because of the stinking piles of garbage along the road located to the west of Mapal Kangjeibung coupled with urination at the road side having no outlet, the area stinks like hell.

One cannot cross the area without covering their noses.

Many people including children have been making their way into the field by climbing over the wall when the gates were closed.

Many sports associations have been running their offices beneath the gallery and they have been paying Rs 300 each to the Mapal Kangjeibung Use, Preservation and Maintenance Committee as rental charge.

Any sports body desiring to use Mapal Kangjeibung for a sports tournament, they should pay certain amount to the committee.

There are two modes of taking charges for hiring the ground.

One is allowing entry of spectators only with tickets and the other is free entry (without tickets).

Again the amount charged for hiring Mapal Kangjeibung varied according to whether the whole ground was reserved or only the main ground was reserved.

There is also variation according to purposes for which the ground was reserved.

Hiring the whole ground for one day costs Rs 3000 in case the spectators are given tickets.

It is Rs 1000 if the spectators are allowed free entry.

If the ground is hired for non-sports events, hiring charge for one day is Rs 4000 when there is ticketing and Rs 2500 when there is no ticketing.

Imphal West DC is the chairman of the committee and Sub-Registrar its secretary.

The Imphal West SP is one of the members.

Talking to this reporter, a young footballer who was practising at Mapal Kangjeibung said that only the football field was not enough.

"The tall and thick grasses decorating the periphery of the field often caused inconveniences while trying to retrieve ball from inside it.

There were instances when we came across snakes, lizards and leeches as went to retrieve ball", he said.

One representative of a sports body commented, "we feel ashamed to see the extremely filthy condition of Mapal Kangjeibung and its adjoining areas".

"At times of national level sports championships, the particular sports body organising the championship would buy water for use in toilet.

They would clean the gallery, the ground and adjoining areas of Mapal Kangjeibung".

"The existing condition is risky to the health of any player", he added.

One official of the Mapal Kangjeibung Use, Preservation and Maintenance Committee disclosed that amount received for hiring ground was enough for maintenance of the ground.

The committee appointed two care-takers for maintenance of Mapal Kangjeibung at the monthly salary of Rs 5000 each, he added.