Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Nov 6: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), inaugurated the 4th LG Cup Horse Polo-2024 Tournament at Goshan Stadium in Drass.
Organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, this event also marked the opening of the newly constructed Polo Stadium at Goshan, Drass, built at an estimated cost of Rs 6.84 crore.
The Lt Governor praised the organizers, players and attendees, reaffirming the Ladakh administration’s commitment to youth development and a brighter future for the region. He highlighted the cultural importance of horse polo and its role in enhancing skills and coordination between player and horse. He also mentioned the administration’s initiative of sending 12 girls from Kargil to Delhi for horse riding and polo training with the President’s Body Guard, aiming to further promote these sports in Ladakh. The Lt Governor expressed hope to invite the President or Vice President of India to future polo events in Drass.
The opening match between teams Himalayan-A and Himalayan-B began with a throw-in ceremony by the Lt Governor. Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, spoke on polo’s historical significance, emphasizing the need for local sports infrastructure to reduce players’ dependency on training outside Ladakh. He extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Lt Governor for awarding district status to Drass.
Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa expressed gratitude for efforts in promoting traditional sports and underlined the potential for sports to attract tourism. Other dignitaries included the First Lady, Neelam Mishra; Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, who welcomed the guests; and Tahir Hussain Zubdavi, Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, who delivered the vote of thanks.
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