Four International polo teams have confirmed their participation in the 4th edition of the Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament.
Teams from USA, Canada, Argentina and Kenya along with Indian Polo Association will play at the tournament to be held at Mapal Kangjeibung, oldest living polo ground in the world located in Imphal from January 17-21.
This was informed by the functionaries of the All Manipur Polo Association(AMPA),the organizer during an interaction with the media persons in Imphal on Friday.
Canada polo team will be participating for the first time.
A six member women polo team to represent Manipur team including three officials have been selected by a selection committee based on the performance in the state level women’s polo tournament 2018-19 for the upcoming tournament, says President Dr K Saratchandra of AMPA.
They are Laishram Thadoi(team captain),Neelu RK, Thoudam Tanna, Khundongbam Deventy, Khundongbam Habe and Victoria Oinam. Besides them a three member officials team has also been named.
The event has grown in scale since its inception in 2016 and now draws tourists from all over the world to Manipur as a polo tourism destination of India.
During their stay, the foreign polo players will also explore major tourist destinations in the state such as Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park-the only floating wildlife sanctuary in the world besides visiting the age-old Kangla Fort of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur.
They will also visit the World War II cemeteries to pay homage to the fallen soldiers from India, UK, and Japan in the Battle of Imphal and shop for Manipur’s celebrated handloom at Ema Market, arguably the largest women’s only market in the world, sources said.