Polo in Manipur

Fansite type: Athletes

Sports type: Polo

Description:

Polo, as we know it today, was introduced by the British in the middle of the 19th century from Manipur, a Southeastern Himalayan kingdom, now a state of India on its Burmese border. Known there as Sagol Kangjei, it is the state sport of Manipur. It is traditionally played with 7 players to a side, with no chukkers or goal posts, on Manipuri Ponies, tough, small. agile steeds that stand between 11-13 hands high. The Manipuri Pony is today an endangered animal, numbering less than 500. But polo is still popular in Manipur, with two annual tournaments - the Governor's Cup and the Hazari Cup - both played in the International Style. There are two local bodies, the All Manipur Polo Association, and the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association. Local players rank at the 2 or 3 goal handicap level.

Brief description: On Polo, international style and traditional, as it is played in Manipur, the birthplace of the modern sport.

Tags: polo, sagol kangjei, manipur, meitei, india, manipuri, manipuri pony, meitei sagol, equine, equestrian, preservation, asia, asian, indian, northeast india, north east india, tibeto-burman, uspa, kentucky, hurlingham