Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Attends Closing Ceremony of 5th CEC Cup Horse Polo Tournament.

Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Attends Closing Ceremony of 5th CEC Cup Horse Polo Tournament.
Leh, October 4, 2026: The four-day 5th CEC Cup Polo Tournament concluded today at the historic Shagaran Polo Ground, Chuchot, with Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, UT Ladakh, Shri Sanjit Rodrigues, attending the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest.
The concluding day featured cultural performances, a women’s exhibition match and the men’s final, bringing the tournament to a vibrant close while highlighting Ladakh’s enduring polo heritage and its potential for promoting sports and tourism.
The closing programme commenced with a cultural presentation featuring Shandol, ghazal and traditional dances, followed by a women’s exhibition polo match between SECMOL Club and the Animal Husbandry Department. SECMOL Club emerged victorious with a 5-0 win. The men’s final was subsequently played between the Animal Husbandry Department and Ladakh Scouts, with Animal Husbandry securing the title with a 3–1 victory. Shri Sanjit Rodrigues formally marked the commencement of the tournament proceedings by throwing the opening ball onto the ground.
Speaking on the occasion, Tundup Dorjey, President, Indus Chuchot Polo Club, welcomed the guests, participants and spectators and reflected on the historical significance of polo in Chuchot. He highlighted the efforts of senior members, the Animal Husbandry Department and the Indus Chuchot Polo Club in reviving and sustaining the sport at the historic Shagaran ground. He noted that the club has progressively developed the ground since 2012, with polo emerging as an important platform to showcase Chuchot’s sporting and cultural identity and attract visitors to the area.
Tundup Dorjey further recalled the journey of the Ladakh Polo Festival, including the support extended by the Hill Council and the government, and highlighted infrastructure improvements at Shagaran through financial assistance, including seating arrangements and stalls. He emphasised the club’s efforts to develop the venue as a tourism attraction and expressed the need for further support for horse-riding and polo-related tourism activities, particularly during the May–October tourist season.
The tournament also witnessed the presence of Administrative Secretary, Higher Education, UT Ladakh, Ms Bhanu Prabha, as Guest of Honour, along with Mandeep Mittal, IFS, local Nambardars, officials, tourists, polo enthusiasts and community members. Mohd Afzal officiated as referee during the matches.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Shri Sanjit Rodrigues distributed prizes and trophies to the winning and runner-up teams and acknowledged the participation of the players.
The four-day tournament provided a platform for local teams and players to compete while reinforcing polo’s place in Ladakh’s sporting heritage and its growing role in connecting traditional culture with tourism and community participation.
Thanks & Regards,
Department of Information & Public Relations,
UT Ladakh