In Ladakh, 6th Lieutenant Governor’s Cup Horse Polo Tournament concluded today at the Goshan International Polo Stadium in Drass, marking another successful edition of one of Ladakh’s premier indigenous sporting events. A total of 18 teams, including three women teams, participated in the tournament, reflecting the growing popularity of horse polo across the region.
The Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre of the Indian Army emerged as champions, defeating the Animal Husbandry Department team by 2-0 in the final to lift the coveted trophy.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, who was the chief guest on the occasion, expressed satisfaction over the successful organisation of the tournament and the enthusiastic participation of players and spectators. He announced that the winning prize money has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh for this year’s tournament. From next year onwards, the winning team will receive ₹2 lakh, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹1 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sports through initiatives such as Fit India and Khelo India has transformed people’s outlook towards sports across the country. He said the same vision is guiding the administration in strengthening sports infrastructure in Ladakh while promoting indigenous games like horse polo to preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The Lieutenant Governor described the increasing participation of youth, especially women, in the tournament as highly encouraging. He assured that efforts would be made to provide horse polo players with national and international exposure. He also emphasised linking horse polo with adventure and cultural tourism to ensure sustainable socio-economic development and expressed hope that the LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament would eventually grow into a national-level event.
Later, the Lieutenant Governor presented trophies, medals and cash prizes to the winning and runner-up teams and felicitated former horse polo players for their contribution to the sport.
Among those present were Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies, Transport and Elections Rahul Sharma, Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Shashanka Ala, Joint Director YSS UT Ladakh Tahir Hussain Zubdavi, Deputy Commissioner Drass Imtiaz Ahmad Kacho, Superintendent of Police Drass Ishtiyaq Ahmad Kacho, Councillors Abdul Samad and Abdul Wahid, former CEC Kacho Ahmad Khan, senior Army and civil officers, tourists, and a large number of horse polo enthusiasts.
The tournament was also live telecast on the official AIR News YouTube Channel, making the event accessible to audiences across the country and beyond. The live coverage was organised by Akashvani News in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, with technical support provided by the professional team of Iliya Productions, ensuring high-quality broadcast of the championship
