GUWAHATI: The far-flung North Eastern state of Manipur may not be the most popular tourist destination but it does offer some unique experiences against a scenic backdrop. The government of Manipur is all set to organize the sixth Manipur Polo International tournament between 24 and 29 November. The tournament will coincide with the Manipur Sangai Festival 2012 organized by the ministry of Tourism.
The theme of this year's tournament is 'Save the Manipuri Pony, the Original Polo Pony' from extinction and promotion of Polo Tourism in the state. The tournament will be conducted under Indian Polo Association Rules and mounted on Manipuri Pony.
Teams from Hurlingham England, Germany, France and Thailand are participating in the tournament besides a team representing the Indian Polo Association and a team from Manipur. The foreign teams have been coordinated by Hurlingham Polo Association, the controlling body of International Polo, Royal Embassy of Thailand in India and Consul General of German Embassy in Kolkata.
The tournament will be held at the Mapal Kangjeibung (Polo ground) in Imphal. The gallery, lawn and pavilions are being renovated currently.
According to the organizers and many historians, polo may have been popularized by the British, it originated in Manipur. The game was known as 'Sangol Kangjei' in Manipuri. It is said that the first polo club in India was established in Silchar, Assam, in 1834.
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