LG attends closing ceremony of 6th LG Horse Polo Cup at Drass
DRASS: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday announced a substantial increase in the prize money for the winners and runners-up of the LG Horse Polo Cup, reaffirming the Union Territory Administration’s commitment to promoting indigenous sports, encouraging greater youth participation and preserving Ladakh’s rich equestrian heritage.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the 6th LG Horse Polo Cup 2026 at the historic Goshan Polo Ground in Drass, the Lieutenant Governor announced that this year’s winning team would receive ₹1 lakh, while the runners-up would be awarded ₹50,000, doubling the existing prize money of ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 respectively. He further announced that from the next edition, the winning team would receive ₹2 lakh, while the runners-up would be awarded ₹1 lakh.
The announcement came as the week-long Union Territory-level championship concluded with the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) defeating the Animal Husbandry Department, Leh, in the final to lift the coveted title.
Held from July 21 to 27, the tournament brought together 18 men’s teams and four women’s teams from across Ladakh, reaffirming horse polo’s status as one of the region’s oldest and most celebrated traditional sports.
Describing horse polo as “much more than a sport”, Saxena said it represented Ladakh’s living cultural heritage, reflecting the region’s warrior traditions, horsemanship and historical identity. He observed that the sport has been preserved across generations in Ladakh and Baltistan, with Drass continuing to play a vital role in sustaining this unique legacy.
Congratulating the participating teams, the Lieutenant Governor lauded their skill, endurance and sportsmanship, while also appreciating the growing participation of women in the tournament. He said the increasing presence of women’s teams reflected expanding opportunities and empowerment for women in sports across Ladakh.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to preserving traditional sports, Saxena said efforts would continue to promote horse polo alongside the development of modern sporting infrastructure. He also highlighted the potential of integrating horse polo with adventure tourism and cultural festivals to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities and further strengthen Ladakh’s identity as a distinctive tourism destination.
The tournament, now in its sixth edition, has evolved into a flagship sporting event showcasing Ladakh’s indigenous equestrian traditions while providing a competitive platform for riders and horses to compete under the demanding high-altitude conditions of the region. The event has also contributed to Drass’s emergence as an important destination for traditional sports and cultural tourism.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, and Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa Jan, were present at the closing ceremony, which concluded with the presentation of trophies and awards to the winning teams and outstanding performers.
