DRASS, Jul 27: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday attended the closing ceremony of the 6th LG Horse Polo Cup 2026 at the historic Goshan Polo Ground in Drass and announced a substantial increase in prize money for the winners and runners-up to encourage greater participation in traditional sports.
The Lieutenant Governor announced that this year’s winning team would receive ₹1 lakh, while the runners-up would be awarded ₹50,000, up from the earlier prize amounts of ₹50,000 and ₹25,000, respectively. He further declared that from next year, the winning team will receive ₹2 lakh, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹1 lakh.
Held from July 21 to 27, the UT-level championship featured 18 men’s teams and four women’s teams from across Ladakh, highlighting the region’s rich equestrian heritage. In the final, the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) defeated the Animal Husbandry Department, Leh, to lift the prestigious trophy.
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa Jan were among those present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, LG Saxena described horse polo as an integral part of Ladakh’s cultural identity and a symbol of its warrior tradition and horsemanship. He said the sport, deeply rooted in Ladakhi and Balti heritage, has been preserved through generations, with Drass continuing to play a key role in keeping the tradition alive.
Congratulating all participating teams, the Lieutenant Governor praised their sportsmanship and particularly appreciated the growing participation of women, calling it a reflection of increasing empowerment in sports across Ladakh.
Reaffirming the Union Territory Administration’s commitment to promoting indigenous sports, Saxena said horse polo could be integrated with adventure tourism and cultural festivals to generate livelihood opportunities for local communities while strengthening Ladakh’s appeal as a unique tourism destination.
The event concluded with the presentation of trophies and awards to the winning teams and outstanding performers.
