Himanta Biswa Inaugurates First Polo Club in Guwahati

Guwahati, July 1, 2019:

Assam Finance Minister and Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday flagged off the first Polo ground in Guwahati city of Assam.

The Guwahati Riding and Polo Club is the first of its kind in Guwahati and is located near the Sports Complex Stadium at Sarusajai in Guwahati.

After inaugurating the facility, the Finance Minister was also seen riding on a horse and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

A tweet sent out from the Finance Minister's official Twitter handle read: "I've always been in awe of the tenacity and balance of Polo players, and the horses they ride. Glad that this oldest equestrian sport is growing in popularity. Today I inaugurated Guwahati Riding & Polo Club. I am certain it shall add to Assam's dazzling sporting culture."

Interestingly, the Finance Minister had once ridden an elephant on the big screen as he had acted as a child actor in the Assamese film ‘Kokadeuta, Nati aru Hati’.

It is to be mentioned that the inaugural programme of the Guwahati Riding & Polo Club was organised at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.

A game of Central Asian origin, polo was first played in Persia (Iran) at dates given from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. Polo was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the king's guard or other elite troops.

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