IMPHAL, April 15: Khurai Polo Club lifted the 21st Governor`™s Cup Invitation Polo Tournament held at Mapal Kangjeibung in the final match held today.
Khurai Polo Club`™s P. Jotin sealed the fate of MPSC by scoring nine of the ten goals that his team scored against MPSC. The score was leveled 6-6 at half time but MPSC failed to add more goals to their score. MPSC scored four more goals in the second half to defeat MPSC by 10-6 and lift the trophy.
Governor Gurbachan Singh in his speech at the closing function of the final today stated that organizing of sports championships and tournaments provides an opportunity to the participating players to showcause their talents and generate the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition besides popularizing the game. He said that this in turn helps in promoting the feeling of brotherhood, friendship and oneness, doing away with the caste, creed and religion which ultimately strengthens the national unity and integrity.
Further stating that Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA) has organized polo tournaments over the years by educating the young Manipuris of the need of preserving polo as a sport and taking it up as a profession. He praised MHRPA for making continuous development and promotion of polo. Stressing the need to t preserve and find a habitat for Manipuri polo as the population of Manipuri pony has decreased to a very alarming figure.
`We need to safeguard our ponies and allow them to grow by increasing their population, for preservation and development of polo in the state. The development of pony is highly essential for the development of pony, which is the state game of Manipur. The game of pony has been patronized by the state throughout its history` the Governor said.
He further expressed the need of the state government to help in accelerating the movements of polo associations and take up necessary actions to promote the game of polo, which is the cultural heritage of Manipur and can become a major attraction for tourists to come to Manipur thereby developing and promoting tourism industry in the state.