By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: It is today an accepted fact that Manipur gave the world the game of polo. The Guinness Book of Records (1991 edition) notes, “Polo can be traced to origins in Manipur State c. 3100 B.C. when it was played as Sagol Kangjei.” Historians of Manipur claim that the polo (locally called sagol kangjei) have been played uninterrupted in Manipur for thousands of year, except for a brief period during the World War II. They further maintain that Mapal Kangjeibung, or the Imphal Pologround, is the world’s oldest polo ground.
It is recorded that an Indian Army official, named Joseph Sherer, who was posted in Cachar district of Assam, saw the traditional Manipuri polo being played in Silchar by the Manipuris settled there in 1857. Impressed by the game he soon learnt it. In 1859, he along with the District Superintendent of Cachar, named Robert Steward, and 7 tea-planters instituted the Silchar Polo Club.
Dr. Syed Ahmed and Md. Abdullah (right), taken at the latter’s residence at Porompat
In due course of time, the game was introduced in Dacca and later in Calcutta. In 1862 an exhibition match, regarded as the first official polo match, was played between the Calcutta Polo Club (which Sherer had helped in establishing) and the Manipuri team. Calcutta Polo Club, established in 1862, is the oldest surviving polo club in the world.
Today Manipur is regarded as the Mecca for polo players. Over the years many International Polo Tournaments have been organized in the State. The 6th International Polo Tournament was organized as a part of the Sangai Tourism Festival 2012 at the Imphal Polo ground from November 24 to 29, 2012. Four international teams representing Thailand, England, France and Germany took part in the tournament organized by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association (MHR&PA) under the theme, “Manipur Gave the World, the Game of Polo: Let Us Save Manipuri Polo, the Original Polo Pony.”
Interestingly the Muslims in Manipur played the game of polo with much enthusiasm till recently. The community had produced some excellent polo players. Md. Abdullah was one such player who had played in international matches, but now works as veterinary attendant.
Md. Abdullah lifting the Governor’s Cup in 1995
Dr. Syed Ahmed spoke with Abdullah. An excerpt from an interview:
Tell me about your early days…
I was born in a poor family in Paobitek Mayai Lekai in Imphal West district of Manipur. My father, Md. Abadulla was a cultivator. My father and his brothers used to play the traditional Manipuri style of polo as well as horse-race (sagol lamjel). They were indeed very well-known players of Manipur in those days. Those days the small village of Paobitek produced many prominent polo players, namely Md. Kaher, Md. Ebungo, Md. Sherajuddin, Md. Kheruddin, Md. Chaoba, Md. Mani, Md. Abdul Karim and Md. Ali. They participated at the regular horse-race competitions held at Hapta Kangjeibung, the playground managed by the kings of Manipur. Md. Ali (popular as Oli), my uncle, was a celebrated horse-racer in the 1960s. They played polo at the big playground in our village. It is still there. Later they organized the Paobitek Polo Club.
Besides your village were there other Muslim villages that played polo in those days…
Yes, few other Muslim villages also played the game in those days. Irong Chesaba, Sangaiyumpham and Kwakta also produced few well-known polo players. Irong Chesaba produced well-trained horses. These villages also organized their polo clubs. The polo clubs of Teckcham and Tentha (Meitei villages) were the best in those days.
When did you start playing polo?
I started riding horse at the age 8. My father had 3 horses. I started with horse race. I was trained by my father and my uncles. Soon I started playing polo along with them.
What is the basic difference between the traditional Manipuri and modern polo?
In the traditional Manipuri style there are 7 players in each side, while in the International Polo style there are 4 players in each side. There are few other differences in rules. Earlier we used to play the indigenous style, but now the modern style is getting popular.
What are your achievements so far?
I had played in many prominent polo tournaments, including International Invitation Polo Tournaments. Representing Paobitek Polo Club, I played the State Level Knock-out Polo Tournaments held at Imphal Pologround in 1985, 1987 and 1989, organized by MHR & PI. MHR&PI, started in 1977, is the only private organization that organizes polo tournaments in the country.
I played the first Governor’s Cup Invitation Polo Tournament held in 1990 organized by MHR & PI representing Paobitek Polo Club. Our team won the tournament. I played the Governor’s Cup Tournament in 1994 and 1995 representing Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services Polo Team. I also took part in the N. Hazari Memorial Polo Tournament held in 1992 and 1994 at Imphal Pologround representing Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services Polo Team. We won both the tournaments.
I also participated at the equestrian championships organized by Manipur Equestrian Association.
I played, representing Manipur, at the Classic Polo Manipur, International Invitation Tournament, organized as a part of International Cultural Conference & Festival, held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, 1991 at Imphal Pologround. We won the tournament. I also represented the Manipur team in the International Invitation Polo Tournament held in 1992 and 1994 at Imphal Pologround, organized by MHR&PI. Manipur team won both the tournaments. Teams from Germany, Britain and Australia participated in the tournaments.
I played Polo tournaments in Delhi, Ladakh, Patiala, among others.
A certificate of Md. Abdullah
Are there other Muslim polo players who also had played at such International matches?
Yes, Md. Ningthem was the only other Muslim polo player who played at International level matches. He was also from my village. He died few months back due to heart failure. He was around 55 years old. He was the Secretary of Paobitek Polo Club. Like me, he also joined the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry as a Veterinary Attendant.
Md. Tomba, Md. Alimuddin and Md. Lahimuddin, all from Paobitek, were also prominent polo players.
Do you get any assistance from the Government for your achievements?
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Manipur, gave the Incentive State Sports Award 1992-93 for my outstanding achievements in the field of polo at the international level. I was given the post of Veterinary Attendant in 1992 considering my accomplishments. The then Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Naorem Tombi had very keen interest in the game. In fact, he instituted the N. Hazari Memorial Polo Tournament in the name of his father. I played representing the department for many years. The team won many prestigious tournaments. Another Director of this department, C. Jibon also took interest in promoting the game. After that there was no officer in the department to promote the polo team.
Banner of the recently held International Polo tournament
Any assistance to Paobitek Polo Club…
Former Chief Minister of Manipur, W. Nipamacha Singh, who also happens to be the representative of our assembly constituency, took interest in promoting the game of polo. He helped developing the polo field at Paobitek. Besides that State Government does not give any attention to this club.
Is the Paobitek Polo Club still producing polo players?
No, the club is no more producing polo players. In fact the Muslim youngsters are not interested in this game. The club is no more active. The recent demise of the Secretary of the club will have adverse impact on the future of the club.
Are you still engaged in the game of polo?
Yes, I am still engaged in the game. I was invited to play in the recent International Polo Tournament held at Imphal Polo Ground. However, as I am getting old, I sent one player whom I have trained for the tournament. Over the last few years I have been playing as well as training young players in local clubs. I played at the Nepol Polo Club of Khurai and Khurai Polo Club. Now I am playing for Chingkheihunba Polo Club at Kongpal. All these are clubs organized in Meitei localities.
I also have 3 horses including the one I had played with in many of the tournaments. I call the horse “Yama,” after the name of the motor-bike Yamaha, famous for its fast pick-up and speed.
Md. Abdullah now lives in a small government quarter at Porompat, in Imphal, along with his wife and children – 4 sons and a daughter.