13 December, 1995
The 14th Word Elephant Polo Championships was played at Tiger Tops 7 – 13 December 1995 and HRH Princess Jotshana presented the trophies assisted by General Nara SJB Rana. The exciting final between the defending champions Nationals Parks and new comers J&B Los Carabaos Locos Philippines was a fitting end to a week of excellent polo. The local team went into the final with a three goal handicap but unfortunately this year had to watch the Philippine team slowly inch ahead resulting  in a final score of 8 -2 including handicaps. Buddhi Ram Kumal had the game of his life, scoring three goals and earning the Tuborg Player of the year Trophy, with Julian Buckeridge completing the tally, and rightly earning the title of “Most Improved Player”.

The National  Parks captained by Dr Tirtha Man Maskey didn’t leave empty  handed having already secured the Justerine and Brooks All Nepal Shiled which is played by mahouts on their own elephants, beating tiger tops 6 goals.

One of the major surprises of the championships was the British Gurkhas succeeding through to the semi finals, for the first time in their WEPA history. Unfortunately they failed to capitalize on their early success by loosing to the Nationals Parks in the semies followed by the Swiss Air Mercenaries, a new team of experienced horse polo players, in he 3rd and 4th play offs.

It was disappointed 5th place for the hosts Jim Edwards and his Tiger Tops Tuskers, Narrowly beating the main sponsors J&B Rare into 6th place by one goal. J&B Rare did manage to pick-up the delightful Yum-Yum trophy for Most Sporting Team and the British Gurkha Best Dressed Trophy went to the Screwy Tuskers, replemdent in their embroidered matching shirts and hats.

This year’s championships was a truly international event being attend by players and visitors from seventeen different countries including the film producer silver Tabet who was a member for the Fighting Irish Team finished 7th overall, Deborah Wang for National Public Radio from USA and numerous international photo journalists.

The world Elephant Polo Association Championship is an international is an annual invitation event arranged by Tiger Tops. It is played on the polo field adjacent to Meghauly airport on the edge of Royal Chitwan National Parks. Each team of four players compete two chukkas of ten minutes and use a regular polo ball which is hit with elongated sticks over 2 meters in length. This year the referee Chuck McDougal and umpire Pradeep Rana and very much appreciated by the hundreds of local. Tharu people who walked for hours to watch this amazing event.

For further details contacts Lisa Choegyal or Carolyn Syangbo.