Assam Rifles Women Dominate 4th Chittamohini Cup, Reviving Polo’s Manipur Roots Amid Pony Crisis

Imphal: The Assam Rifles Women Polo Team clinched the 4th Chittamohini State Women’s Polo Cup with a decisive 6-3 win over Imphal Riding Club (IRC) at the world’s oldest polo ground, Mapal Kangjeibung—solidifying Manipur’s role as modern polo’s birthplace, where the sport originated as Sagol Kangjei around 3100 BC. This tournament, among India’s rare dedicated women’s polo events and a global outlier, highlights Assam Rifles’ sustained push to empower women in the sport they helped launch in Manipur in 2024, including recent championships with women’s teams.

O. Veronica earned Best Player honors with two goals, backed by N. Laxmi Devi’s brace and Th. Bindu Devi’s pair, overcoming IRC’s strikes from K.H. Deventi Devi, L. Lucy, and M. Mona Devi in a match that saw Assam Rifles lead 2-1 after the first chukker, 4-2 at halftime, and hold firm through a scoreless third.

Manipur cradles polo’s evolution from ancient royal rituals under kings like Kangba (1359-1405 BC) to the global game, with Mapal Kangjeibung in use since the 15th century BC. The Chittamohini Cup, now in its fourth edition—following IRC’s 7-6 win over Assam Rifles in 2025—bolsters this legacy amid few women’s tournaments elsewhere in India or abroad.

Assam Rifles has rendered yeoman service, fielding women’s squads since 2024 and hosting multi-team events to channel youth energy and preserve heritage.

Chief Guest Dr. Shyam Sundar Rath, National Sports University Vice-Chancellor, lauded the skill and Manipur’s polo cradle status, vowing support for women’s traditional sports. Presiding IAS officer Khumantham Diana Devi praised organizers and urged grassroots polo growth. Guests of Honour Brig Pratyush Kumar (9 Sector Commander) and N. Radhapyari Devi (Retd. Associate Professor) commended sportsmanship.

This victory spotlights the Manipuri pony’s dire plight: an endangered breed since 2013, with numbers crashing from ~1,000 in 2007 to 1,089 by 2023-24 due to vanishing grazing lands like Lamphelpat wetlands, road accidents, and underuse—despite its role as polo’s foundational mount. Assam Rifles’ efforts could spearhead revival, as experts call for restored grounds and incentives to avert extinction in polo’s homeland

This cup closes another chapter in women’s polo ascent, but sustained action on ponies will define Manipur’s enduring polo narrative.