World Elephant Polo Tournament in Meghauli Chitwan (Nov 28th - Dec 4th 2010))

Tiger Tops, Chitwan-Nepal has been hosting World Elephant Polo Tournament in each December since 1982 in airstrip Meghauli, Chitwan Nepal. Recently, Tiger Tops Chitwan Nepal hosted the 29th World Elephant Polo Tournament in Meghauli, Chitwan as in the past. Eight teams from different countries: Switzerland, Australia, UK, UAE, Afghanistan  Scotland, Nepal participated in this tournament. (http://www.elephantpolo.com/wepa/) This time EFG,Switzerland team was crowned as 29th WEPA championship which defeated Sepoys UAE by 6-5 goals. According to local source, people including internal and foreign tourists, who watched this tournament , was the highest  in the history of Elephant Polo tournament. 

              Elephant polo is played in Nepal, Srilanka, India and Thailand. Modern game originated from Meghauli, Chitwan Nepal, however at first Elephant Polo was played in India, by members of Maharaja's Heren. World Elephant Polo Association(WEPA) was formed in 1982 with joint action of  Jim Edwards,owner of Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge; James Manclark, former member of Olympic tobogganer and Scottish landowner and chairman of Tiger Mountain Group in Switzerland.(http://www.elephantpolo.com/html/index.html).

                WEPA has strict rules for Elephant welfare and game play, under this rules and regulations this game is played. Elephant polo is played riding on elephant. Initially soccer ball was used, but later replaced by  particular polo ball. Various length of Cane (Bamboo like) sticks with a polo mallet head on one end are used by players, which may vary from 5 to 12 feet depending upon the size of Elephant. Elephant are driven by trainers called 'Mahouts'. 'Mahouts' instruct elephenet using signals and commands, either by verbal commands or applying pressure on the back of the Elephant's ear and head. The player also communicates with mahouts in order to let mahouts  where to go, when to stop and how fast.