The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is actively promoting polo in Manipur as both a cultural heritage and an economic opportunity, with plans to strengthen infrastructure and introduce international-level coaching.
Union Minister for DoNER, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, made this statement during a meeting with the Governor of Manipur on Tuesday. Polo, which originated in Manipur as the traditional horseback game Sagol Kangjei, has been played in the region for centuries. The sport was later adopted by the British and popularised globally as “polo,” with Manipur recognised as its birthplace by sources including the Guinness Book of World Records.
According to a Lok Bhavan communiqué issued on Tuesday, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Union Minister Scindia jointly chaired a review meeting via video conference from the Conference Hall at Lok Bhavan, Imphal, to discuss the comprehensive development of polo in the State. During the meeting, proposals submitted by the Manipur Government were reviewed in detail.
The Union Minister advised that the development plan be implemented in phases, with systematic identification of talent from various districts based on geographic clusters, and their integration into a proposed centre of excellence. The Governor assured that these recommendations would be incorporated in the upcoming stages of planning and execution.
The meeting also stressed the need for efficient and result-oriented implementation to accelerate overall development in the State. The Chief Secretary, Secretary to the Governor, and other senior officials were present.
Meanwhile, the Government of India, through the Ministry of DoNER and the Manipur Tourism Department, continues to promote polo by developing key infrastructure such as the Marjing Polo Complex, home to the world’s tallest polo statue. The initiatives also include organising international tournaments like the Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament and the Manipur International Polo Tournament, supporting local associations such as the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHRPA), conserving indigenous polo ponies through the Polo Policy 2016 and grassland allotment, and integrating polo with tourism events like the Sangai Festival to boost both cultural heritage and the local economy.
