News
Reviving Tradition: Safeguarding Manipuri Polo Ponies
N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, has stressed the vital need to save the Manipuri polo ponies, which are extremely important both historically and culturally. He highlighted that modern polo was brought to the world by Manipur while speaking at the Director General of the Assam Rifles Men and Women Polo Championships 2025 in Imphal.
The state has allocated a 30-acre grazing area in Lamphelpat to aid with preservation efforts, and further places have been constructed in Pangei. To protect the traditional sport, Singh officially declared the opening of the Chief Minister’s Sagol Kangjei Championship, a traditional competition.
The Manipuri pony, known for its strength and resilience, is a rare breed with only 1,089 ponies remaining, as per recent data. Despite conservation initiatives, the declining population remains a concern for breeders and the state.