Seminar on saving Sagol Kangjei, Pony begins

Imphal, February 18 : A two-day long seminar on Sagol Kangjei (Polo) and Manipuri Pony being hosted by manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association began today at State Guest House with IPS (Retd) Waikhom Damodar and Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services Th Dorendra jointly lighting the inaugural lamp.

highlight of the seminar being participated by about 100 delegates will be presentation of papers by eight experts on preservation of the threatened manipuri pony species and promotion of Sagol Kangjei which had originated in Manipur and today spread throughout the globe.

The inaugural session began with officials of the host Association providing a detailed collection/data with regard to present day status/state of Manipuri polo players and polo clubs as well as relevant information on the origin of the game in Manipur.

In his address as the chief guest, W Damodar impressed upon the gathering on the need to prevail upon the International Olympic Committee for induction of a manipuri native in the polo panel of the international body as a recognition for the game's place of origin.

The former police officer also stressed on the urgent need for retaining the original form of the game through preservation of indigenous accessories used in the past and strongly advocated that the Government contribute its mite to encourage youngsters in sustaining interest in the game of polo.

He expressed strong lamentation that only a handful of polo enthusiasts are involved in the preservation of both the animal species and the game historically connected to the manipuri culture and tradition.

The resource persons in their speeches conveyed of unearthing fossil remains during development work inside the Kangla fort thereby reaffirming manipur as the place of origin of the game.