18 th December 1991

For Immadiate Release

The National Parks Nepal teams swept the board at the 10 th World Elephant Polo Association Championship on the Meghauly airfield Near Tiger Tops in Nepal 12 – 17 December 1991. In a closely contested final the Nepal National Parks team captained by Chief Warden Shyam Sundar Bajimayer beat the Tiger Tops home team led by World Elephant Polo Assoications founder and Tiger Tops Executive Chairman, A.V. Jim Edwards. However they won the J&B All Nepal Challenge Shield played on 16 th December with their Superior elephants a convincing 4 –0. The trophies were elegantly Presented by Rani Pashupati SJB Rana.

The co – founder James Manclark brought his own Scottish team Including John Tinsley and Lady de la Rue who finished sixth, Beating the visiting Swiss team captained by Pierro Dillier. The Wooden spoon was won by the british Gurkha Gladiators, Captained by Col. Mike Allen and included the Commander of British Forces HongKong, Major General Peter Duffell,CBE. MC.

Grindlays Maharajahs, the defending champions captained by Nepal Grindlays Bank General Manager, Robin Bradshaw sported A team of fine Indian polo players. They beat their compatriots, The Oberoi India also trounced the rest of the World in an Afternoons' friendly cricket match which has become a World Elephant Polo Associations tradition.

J&B's Rare team one of the major sponsors, was captained by Peter Prentice and included world record holder long distance Runner Bruce Fordyce from South Africa . They won the coveted Best dressed Khukuri in their smart striped jackets. Followed By a crew from South Africa Broadcasting, he took advantage of The exotic location to keep in training by running through the Local villages. Additional sponsors included Royal Nepal Airlines And Tuborg Beer.

The Ladies challenge was 1-1 draw between the Tiger Tops Tigresses and the rest of the World team captained by InnerAsia Executive, Ann Aylwin.

Elephant Polo is played annually at Tiger Tops and each match Consists of two ten minute chukkers. The 90" sticks are wielded By four players in each team who are tied onto the elephant's Back with ropes. The ball is the same as that used in pony polo and the referee Chuck McDougal empires the game from the back of his Tusker. The Gurkha wives are timekeepers and James Birch is the Commentator.

Amidst spectators who gather from all over the World there were No less than eleven different nationalities represented. Hundreds Of enthusiasts from the local villages come to Meghauly to enjoy The event.

For further information please contact Lisa Choegyal, Secretary And Treasurer.

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge
P. O. Box 242
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977-1- 4361500
Fax No:- +977-1-4361600
Email:info@tigermountain.com