Argentina women polo team emerged as champions at the end of the 4th edition of the Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament 2019 here in Imphal on Monday.
In an exciting final match played on Monday afternoon at the historic Mapal Kangjeibug, the oldest living polo ground in the world located in the heart of Manipur’s state capital, Argentina draw 6-6 with USA team at the end of the regular four chukker.
However, Argentina team which comprises of young and energetic players won the match in a penalty shot-out wherein Argentina scored 3 goals while USA scored just 1 goal.
The scorers of Argentina team are Catalina(4),Elina Braun(3) and Delfina Donovan(2) while the scorers of the USA team are Anna Winslow(4), Stephen Massey Colburn(2) and Carolyn Stimmel(1).
The All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA) organised the tournament under the sponsorship of the Department of Tourism to promote women polo in Indian particularly in the NE India.
Secretary (Tourism) Nidhi Kesarwani and Director (Tourism) W Ibohal Singh who attended closing function along with the President Dr K Saratchandra Singh of AMPA, also handed over cash prizes of Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 along with a number of gift hampers and trophies to the winning team and runners up team respectively during the closing session.
The tournament is part of Manipur Tourism’s campaign to save the unique and endangered Manipuri pony and also to promote Polo tourism in the Manipur- the Birthplace of Modern Polo.
This time four foreign countries such as USA, Kenya, Canada and Argentina besides two other domestic teams –Indian Polo Association (IPA-India) and IPA-Manipur participated in the tournament which was inaugurated by the consumers affairs food and public distribution minister Karam Shyam on January 17.