Manipur commemorated Statehood Day by organising an International Women Polo Tournament here on Sunday. Manipur attained statehood on January 21, 1972.
The tournament is being organised by the All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA) at the polo ground here from January 17-26.
Apart from four teams from Manipur, a team from the United States also participating in the tourney.
"Women's Polo is just coming together really good in the U.S. I am happy to see people started liking to play here. I think everyone should be treated equal. Women have good chances of playing polo as men do," said Carley Persano, a player from the U.S. squad.
Polo has been at the forefront of Manipur Tourism's campaign to attract tourists, starting with the fraternal collaboration with Rajasthan in this regard.
"Since Manipur is the birthplace of Polo, we have a lot of potential for women team. So we have organised this event and we want support from the tourism department and the ministry of Tourism in India," said Secretary of All Manipur Polo Association Tansen Konjengbam.
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AMPA organised the first polo tournament in Manipur in 1939 and has conducted 37 events till date.
Manipur Tourism's campaign includes sponsoring the Manipur Polo International Tournament (Men's) as part of annual Manipur Sangai Festival every year from November 21-30.
The tournament will conclude with an exhibition match of women polo players, including one Manipuri woman polo player, in Jaipur between the Indian and the US teams.