Manipur Pony and Polo Player Welfare Association on Thursday staged a sit-in protest at Khuyathong Pukhri Mapal Community Hall calling on authorities concerned to develop Pony Park within the premises of National Institute of Technology, Lamphelpat.
Addressing media at the side-line of the protest, publicity secretary of the association, Ch Ajit hailed the initiative taken by the government for preservation of Manipuri Polo, however, pointed out that the space at Lamphelpat, which is around 30 acres of land and another one at Pangei, were not enough. The state government should develop Pony Park in swampy areas of NIT which is not fit for any kind of construction, he suggested and called on the government to permit horse riding practice at Konung Lampak.
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If the state government fails to translate their demand into action, they will not participate in the polo tournament, Ajit asserted.
He further said that rearing a horse is not an easy task as it can’t be kept at home and the owner does not get any benefit in rearing horses but rather spend time, energy and effort. However, having deep interest in saving this asset of Manipur, Pony, they still continue to rear and ride it, he added.
There is a dire need of more land to keep pony or horse in the right place so as to prevent straying along road side or streets, he added while appealing to the authorities concerned to even allow them to take part in discussion related to preservation of Manipuri pony.