IMPHAL, October 10: A polo team from Thailand will be arriving in the state to participate in 6th Manipur Polo International, 2012 in November at the Mapal Kangjeibung. The event will also be participated by teams from England, Germany, France, India (A) and (B). This was informed by Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association president S Budhachandra Singh.
Speaking to a group of media persons today, he said the Polo tournament will be a part of the Manipur Tourism festival which will be held from Novemebr 24 to 29. He had also informed that even though teams from South Korea and Australia were also supposed to participate, however due to lack of accommodation and hotel facilities in the state, teams of the two countries would not be coming.
The Manipur Polo Tournament will be held after a gap of 11 years, he continued and added that the event is to be organised by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association.
He continued that the event will also have World Polo controlling governing body, Hurlingham Polo Association chairman Nicholas Colquhoun among the spectators.
He further continued that the Indian Polo Association will nominate the India (A) while the Indian (B) side will be from the state.
The 5th International Polo tournament was held in 2002.
Elaborating further on the preparation, he said levelling of the ground is almost complete while renovation of the stadium gallery is underway in full speed.
He also said that on the last day of the tournament, the organisers are hoping to held an exhibition match of the Manipuri panas.
He also added that it has been estimated that around 80 ponies will be needed for the tournament, however the state association has 187 ponies registered with it.