The sixth edition of the LG Horse Polo Cup 2026 commenced on July 21 at the International Horse Polo Stadium, Drass, with the tournament being jointly inaugurated by Director, FCS&CA and Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh, Tahir Hussain Zubdavi; Deputy Commissioner, Drass, Imteeaz Kacho; and Superintendent of Police, Drass, Ishtyaq Kacho.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Drass, Vishal Atri; Councillor Bhimbat Abdul Wahid; Councillor Ranbirpora Abdul Samad; Block Medical Officer Dr. Sajjad Hussain; Principal, Government Degree College, Drass, Nasir-ul-Mehdi Shabani; District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Kargil, Abid Hussain; Executive Engineer, REW/PMGSY, Drass, Zakir Hussain; along with heads of various departments, district and police officials, sports enthusiasts, and a large gathering of spectators.

The tournament began with great enthusiasm and traditional fervour, marking another milestone in promoting Ladakh's rich equestrian heritage and indigenous sports. The dignitaries witnessed the opening match between Sapi Polo Team and Yulbu Drass.

Addressing the gathering, Tahir Hussain Zubdavi reiterated the Department of Youth Services & Sports' commitment to promoting indigenous games and extending continued support for horse polo and other traditional sports across Ladakh. He appreciated the efforts of the organisers, participants, and stakeholders for successfully organising the tournament.

Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho thanked the Department of Youth Services & Sports and appreciated the efforts of all officials and participating teams. He said such events play an important role in preserving Ladakh's traditional horse polo while promoting tourism, youth participation, and cultural heritage. He appealed to the people of Drass to witness the tournament from July 21 to 27 and assured full support from the district administration to make the event a grand success. He also expressed the desire to organise the championship on an even larger scale in the coming years.

Superintendent of Police Ishtyaq Kacho encouraged young people to actively participate in sports, highlighting the importance of discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. He also urged aspiring horse polo players to continue pursuing the traditional sport with dedication.

The opening ceremony featured a ceremonial march-past, introduction of the participating teams, and the inaugural match before a packed audience. A total of 18 men's teams and four women's teams from across the Union Territory of Ladakh are participating in this prestigious championship.

Day 1 Results
•    Sapi Polo Team defeated Yulbu Drass 5–3.
•    Indus Chushot registered a commanding 14–0 victory over Thongsal.
•    Kundik PT defeated Polo Panthers Goshan Blue 3–0.

The week-long championship aims to promote the traditional sport of horse polo, provide a platform for emerging riders, and strengthen the sporting spirit among youth across Ladakh. Organisers expressed gratitude to all participating teams, officials, volunteers, and polo enthusiasts for their support in making the tournament a success.