The Marjing Polo Complex (Meitei: Ibudhou Marjing Khubham) is a sports complex dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo') and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the sacred abode of God Marjing, located in Heingang, Imphal East district, Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur').[5][6] It houses Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest equestrian statue of a polo player.[7][8]
The total area of the Marjing Polo Complex is 23 acres, spreading over the Marjing hills (Meitei: Heingang Ching) with the grazing ground of the Meitei horses covering an area of about four acres.[9]
The construction of the Marjing Polo Complex was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India with an estimated cost of ₹123 lakh (equivalent to ₹1.6 crore or US$190,000 in 2023).[10][11] It was done under the Central Financial Assistance in 2009. According to chief minister's secretariat of the Government of Manipur, the total construction cost is ₹263.19 lakh (equivalent to ₹6.6 crore or US$780,000 in 2023).[12][13][14]
During March 2018, the Marjing Polo Complex was inaugurated by Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, in the presence of Dr. Sapam Ranjan, the then Chairman of Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited, L. Radhakishore, the then Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board, Kshetrimayum Biren, the then MLA of Lamlai, and other tourism officials.[15][16][17]
On 5 October 2022, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated an open gym in the Marjing Polo Complex, under his "Martial Arts Akademi, Manipur", with the support of the Government of Manipur. Security guards are also made to be present to safeguard the gym.[18][19][20]
In 2023, the construction of gateways to the Marjing Polo Complex at the cost of ₹2 crore (equivalent to ₹2.7 crore or US$320,000 in 2023) was announced in the PPP Model.[21]
On 27 September 2018, the World Tourism Day was also organised in the Marjing Polo Complex, with the theme, "Tourism and Digital Transformation".[22][23]
On 9 June 2019, a social group named "Manipur Updates" organised a tree plantation program at the Marjing Polo Complex, as a part of the "Mission Green Manipur" program.[24][25]
In 2022, the Manipur Sangai Festival was organised at 14 different venues, including one at the Marjing Polo Complex.[26][27][28][29]
In 2022, the National Tourism Day was celebrated in the Marjing Polo Complex on 25 January 2022. It was organised by the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Manipur.[30][31] The Marjing Polo Complex was selected as the venue for the event because of its tourism prospects.[32][33]
In 2022-23, the 6th Singju Festival 2022 was organised by the Singju Yokhatpa Lup Manipur in collaboration with the Ibudhou Marjing Khubam Kanba Lup Heingang at Marjing Polo Complex from 28 December 2022 to 8 January of the year 2023.[34][35][36][37][38][39]
The Marjing Polo Complex provides the facility of taking care of the Meitei horses if the animal's owner doesn't have any facility to take care of their animals.[40][41]
The Marjing polo complex is spread across 23 acres over the Marjing hills in Imphal East while the grazing ground is only about four acres.
It may be mentioned that the development of Marjing Polo Complex at Heingang was taken up with the fund from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under Central Financial Assistance in 2009. The total sanctioned amount was Rs. 263.19 lakhs.
The Marjing polo complex is spread across 23 acres over the Marjing hills in Imphal East while the grazing ground is only about four acres.
It may be mentioned that the development of Marjing Polo Complex at Heingang was taken up with the fund from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under Central Financial Assistance in 2009. The total sanctioned amount was Rs. 263.19 lakhs.
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This appeal was made while attending the World Tourism Day held at Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang, Imphal East today.
Further, owners who do not have facilities or proper facilities to take proper care of their animals are requested to avail the facilities provided by the government at Marjing Pony Complex and campus of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association and keep their ponies there, the order stated.