The 15th Manipur International Polo Tournament commenced on Saturday at the historic Imphal Pologround, Mapal Kangjeibung, one of the world&rsquo;s oldest polo grounds, with an enthusiastic turnout and vibrant opening ceremony.
An official from the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, the organising body of the event, said that international and national teams from the US, Colombia, India A (Indian Polo Association), India B (Manipur) and India C (Chhattisgarh) will compete for the championship title and the coveted trophy, demonstrating their &ldquo;expertise, talent, skill, and tactical brilliance&rdquo;.
Thousands of spectators gathered at Mapal Kangjeibung, which appeared unusually crowded for the opening match. 
The week-long tournament, organised in the heart of Imphal, will run until November 27, with the grand finale scheduled for November 29.
Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel welcomed dignitaries, international players, and local polo associations, highlighting Manipur&rsquo;s historic connection to the sport. 
He reaffirmed that Manipur is the birthplace of polo, locally known as Sagol Kangjei, and emphasised its cultural importance.
&ldquo;The tournament aims to preserve Manipur's polo heritage, promote the indigenous Manipuri pony, and foster international collaboration,&rdquo; Goel said. 
He also outlined government initiatives to promote polo, including infrastructure development, inviting international coaches, and hosting more global events in collaboration with the Tourism Department, Information and Public Relations Department, and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
The opening match saw a competitive face-off between the US Polo Team and the Colombia Polo Team. 
Colombia secured a 6&ndash;4 victory, setting an energetic tone for the days ahead.
Retired IAS officer H. Deleep Singh, President of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association, and Shailesh Kumar Chaurasia, Commissioner in the Manipur government, attended the inaugural function as President and Guest of Honour respectively.
The tournament coincides with the 10-day Sangai Tourism Festival, organised by the state&rsquo;s Tourism Department to promote tourism and local economic activity.The festival, which began on Friday at Hapta Kangjeibung, is named after the Sangai, Manipur&rsquo;s critically endangered brow-antlered deer found in Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Both the polo tournament and the Sangai Festival spotlight two of Manipur&rsquo;s iconic but threatened species, the Manipuri pony and the Sangai deer, drawing attention to cultural heritage and conservation efforts.
&mdash;IANS

Players compete at historic Imphal polo ground

Global polo teams compete in Imphal as Manipur launches its 15th international tournament

15th Manipur International Polo Tourney Begins

Global polo teams compete in Imphal as Manipur launches its 15th international tournament

November 23, 2025 | 16:37 IST