Manipur will celebrate its statehood day by organising an international women's polo tournament for the first time, an official said on Tuesday. Polo is closely associated with the history and culture of Manipur.
The tournament will be held at the polo ground in Imphal from January 17 to 26, chief secretary Oinam Nabakishore announced at a press conference here.
"This will be a good opportunity to showcase Manipur's women polo players and the tourism department deserves a pat. The tournament will help create awareness to save the endangered pony and promote tourism," Nabakishore said.
Manipur attained statehood on January 21, 1972.
An international polo tournament was held during the Sangai festival in November last year, where the US team won the trophy by defeating the Manipuri team.
The United States Polo Association has confirmed the participation of its women's team in the tournament. K. Sarat, president of the Manipur Polo Association, said there will be one team from the US and four from Manipur.
On January 24, there will be an exhibition match of the women polo players in Jaipur between the Indian and the US teams. There will be one Manipuri woman polo player in the Indian team.
