Manipur polo heritage is set to receive a fresh national spotlight through the costume representing the state at Miss Universe India 2026. The design draws attention to Manipur’s long association with polo, linking the pageant’s fashion platform with one of the state’s most distinctive sporting and cultural traditions.
The costume comes as Manipur’s representative, Thadoi Yumnam, prepares to carry the state’s identity onto the national pageant stage. Yumnam was crowned Miss Universe Manipur 2026 at the grand finale in Imphal on June 21, earning the opportunity to represent the state at Miss Universe India 2026. Twenty finalists competed in the state-level contest.
Manipur polo heritage gets a modern fashion platform
The costume’s central inspiration is significant because polo has deep historical links with Manipur. The traditional Manipuri game of Sagol Kangjei, played on horseback, is widely recognised as an important precursor to modern polo. The sport has remained closely connected with the state’s cultural identity and its relationship with the Manipuri pony.
By bringing this sporting tradition into a contemporary pageant costume, the design offers a way to present Manipur beyond conventional representations of textiles and traditional attire. The approach places Manipur polo heritage within a modern fashion setting while retaining its cultural associations.
The connection between the state and polo has also been documented through cultural and cinematic work. A government-supported description of the film Manipuri Pony notes that Sagol Kangjei is regarded as the progenitor of modern polo and highlights the endangered status of the Manipuri pony.
A costume designed to tell Manipur’s story
National and state costumes at beauty pageants often serve a purpose beyond visual appeal. They can communicate a region’s history, traditions, natural heritage and distinctive cultural symbols to audiences unfamiliar with them.
In this case, Manipur polo heritage provides a strong narrative foundation. The association with horses, riders and traditional sporting culture creates an instantly recognisable theme that can be adapted for a contemporary runway presentation.
The choice is also consistent with the broader direction of the Miss Universe Manipur platform. State Director and fashion designer Robert Naorem has previously described fashion as more than status, emphasising its role as a global industry, career and expression of culture and tradition.
That philosophy gives added context to the decision to use a culturally rooted theme for the national pageant.
Manipur polo heritage and the Manipuri pony
The Manipuri pony is central to the history of polo in the region. Its connection with Sagol Kangjei has made the animal an important part of Manipur’s sporting heritage.
The link has also appeared in earlier cultural representations associated with pageantry. In 2024, Manipur contestant Danube Kangjam wore a Manipuri Potloi-inspired national costume designed by Robert Naorem. The outfit incorporated several elements associated with Manipur’s cultural and ecological identity and received the People’s Choice national costume award at Miss Universe India that year.
The latest costume concept therefore builds on an established effort to use the Miss Universe platform to showcase Manipuri identity.
Thadoi Yumnam carries the state’s identity forward
Yumnam’s selection adds another layer to the story. She emerged from a field of 20 contestants at the June 21 state finale, with Zeneva Laikhuram named first runner-up and Alish Maibam second runner-up. The competition focused on confidence, leadership, social awareness and personal advocacy.
Yumnam has also used the pageant platform to present Manipuri culture through performance and traditional clothing. Her talent presentation featured a contemporary Manipuri song highlighting the landscape, the Sangai, Pakhangba and themes of harmony and unity, according to her published social media material.
Her pageant journey therefore goes beyond appearance. It reflects an effort to present different aspects of Manipur’s cultural identity to a wider audience.
From traditional sport to contemporary runway
The use of Manipur polo heritage in a major pageant illustrates how traditional cultural themes can be adapted without being confined to museums or historical accounts. A costume inspired by polo can introduce viewers to Sagol Kangjei, the Manipuri pony and the state’s distinctive sporting history in a visually accessible format.
For Manipur, such representation is especially meaningful. The state has faced difficult periods in recent years, and Miss Universe India has provided a national platform for contestants to speak about identity, resilience and representation. At the 2026 state pageant, former Miss Universe India Manika Vishwakarma highlighted the importance of allowing Manipur’s representatives to share the state’s story on a larger platform.
As Yumnam takes the next step in the competition, her costume is expected to function not simply as pageant fashion but as a cultural statement. Manipur polo heritage gives that statement a distinctive foundation, connecting one of the world’s most recognisable equestrian sports with the traditions of the state where its modern story began.
The costume’s national appearance could therefore help introduce a wider audience to a lesser-known chapter of India’s sporting and cultural history. For Manipur, it is another opportunity to place its heritage, craftsmanship and identity firmly in the national spotlight.
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