Sports in Manipur

There are four, Panas-Ahallup, Naharup, Khabam and Laipham, who control all fixtures and times for the games and the State Meet in which the Final is attended by the ruler, who presents the title of Jatra (Champion) for the year along with a reward of Thum Nama (A full bag of salt), and Ngabong Phi (hand made cloth of cotton yarn), exemption of all state duties and Ningham Samjin dress (traditional).

It was played regularly by 17th century during the reign of King Khagemba under newly framed rules of the game.

During the time of the late Sir Chandrakirti Singh, K.C.S.I Maharaja of Manipur introduced regular game at Mapal Kangjeibung (now near Tikendrajit Park) on the ground of Sana-Lamjei (60 by 160 yards (55 by 146 m) width in dimension) being one Lamjei equal to 6 ft (1.8 m).

Captain Robert Stewart and Lieutenant Joseph Sherer of British colonial era watched locals play this rules-based pulu or sagolkangjei (literally, horse and stick) game in 1859, rules they spread as Polo, first to Calcutta and then in England.

Yubi lakpi is a traditional full contact game played in Manipur, India, using a coconut, which has some notable similarities to rugby.

The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king, the chief guest or the judges before the game begins.

In Manipur's long history, Yubi lakpi was the annual official game, attended by the king, over the Hindu festival of Shree Govindajee.

[1] Meitei mythology believes that UmangLai Heloi-Taret (seven deities–seven fairies) played this game on the Courtyard of the temple of Umang Lai Lairembi.

Hiyang tannaba (Hiyangba Tanaba) is a traditional boat rowing race[1] and festivity of the Panas.

This was introduced during the time of Ningthourel Khunjaoba, the second son of King Khagemba, who dug the Kangla Moat around the Palace to make it impregnable in the year of 1660 after he ascended the throne in 1652.

It has rules and regulations formed by the associations to suit the occasions of the games either for competitive tournaments or friendly entertainment.

In olden days 'Kang' was played during summer, starting from Cheiraoba (Manipur New Year) to Kang Chingba.

Baseball was played in Manipur as early as World War II when the US Army Air Forces flew supplies to China over the Himalayas, known as "Flying the Hump", and the locals learned the game from the troops stationed there.

[10] The 2013 film The Only Real Game shows how baseball has grown in Manipur since then because it helps local people cope with stagnation and insurgency in their society.