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A polo match in progress at the ongoing 12th Manipur Polo International in Imphal. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal,Nov. 28 (EMN): The closing function-cum-final match-cum-closing function of the 12th Manipur Polo International 2018 will be held at the Mapal Kangjeibung, in the heart of Imphal city on Nov. 29. India (B) polo team which comprises of players from Manipur will take on England in the final of the Polo tournament.
In the last two league round matches played at the same polo ground, India (B) Manipur beat Uruguay by 5-3 goals while in the second match England entered the final by 7 points. England and USA scored 3 goals each at full time. In one of their previous league matches, India (B) had already defeated England team 7-4.
In overall point tally, England scored 7 points leaving behind USA and entered final of the tournament. Altogether five teams comprising India (A), representing Indian Polo Association, India (B) representing Manipur, England, USA and Uruguay has been participating in the International level tournament which began on Nov. 22.
The polo tournament is organised by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association annually in a move to help the conservation activities of Manipuri pony as part of the Manipur's annual Sangai Festival, a 10-day tourism festival organised by the state government. Interestingly, both the events highlight two animals endemic to Manipur that are nearing extinction.
The Sangai Festival is named after the state animal, the Sangai, a critically endangered brow-antlered deer found in the marshy wetland of Keibul Lamjao, the only floating National Park in the country, about 50 km from Imphal. The festival, apart from being a cultural event that pitches the state as a world class tourism spot, aims to save the Sangai.
Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla is expected to attend the closing function.
