WORLD ELEPHANT POLO ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP 1990
9 th JANUARY 1990
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In a surprise result in the final of The Eight World Elephant Polo Association Championships today the Oberoi team of distinguished Indian polo players Beat the defending champions. The nepal National Parks team in a close 2-1 Match to win the coveted Tiger Tops Trophy. With fine long shots and clever Tactics, the Oberoi team captained by Col Raj Kalaan, consisting of his son Udai Kalaan , Col Billy Sodgi and Gurpal Singh Sandhu defeated the experienced National Parks team captained by B.N. Upreti and included such fine players as Ram Prit Yadav and kuber Gurung. A rising star of the match was young Udai Kalaan who, at only 16 years, is already making his name in international polo Circles.
Third place in the championship went to the Pan Am Jumbos, captained by James Manclark in the absence of U.S. representative and Pan Am director, Hank Auerbach. Pan Am defeated 4-3 the famous home team the Tiger Tops Tuskers captained by the Co - founder of WEPA and host of the event, A.V. Jim Edwards.
The Chitwan Tigers saved the match in the last minute to draw against the National Parks 2-2 in the battle for the All Nepal J&B shield donated by J&B rare Scotch Whisky who sponsored the championships and were represent from London by Peter Prentice.
The Ladies trophy of jewelled elephants was regained by the Tiger Tops Tigresses Captained by Margie McDougal to Victory 3-2 against the London Lionesses, A Team put together to challenge for the trophy and captained by travel agent ANN Alwyin and the formidable home team captained by sculptress and polo players, Juliet wildridge.
The pretigious beat dressed award donated by the always immaculately turned out British gurkhas, went to the innerasia infidels, a glamorous team from the adventure Travel operator, innersia inc., in San Francisco captained by Ann Alwyin and Scott Montgomery . The infidels dazzled spectators and players alike with their superb Purple and red outfits.
Ten team competed in the WEPA championships 4 th - 9 th January 1990 at the polo Ground at Tiger Tops Meghauly on the edge of the Royal Chitwan Nataional Park. Other teams included the grindlays Maharajas who played some excellent matches Captaines by the general manager of their napal bank, Robin Bradshaw. The British Gurkha gladiators ( Hannibal 's Own) captained by Brig. David Morgan scored Some creditable goals between their official time keeping duties and the J&B Daze, Captained by Peter Pretice were strong opponents with Govind Singh Sandhu on Their team. Chuck McDougal, director of Tiger Tops, as usual acted as the referee.
Never has Tiger Tops hosted so many guests for the polo with over 100 persons being Accommodated in the treetop lodge and specially constructed tented camps. Guests and teams came from all over the world. Visitors included the chief executives of both the Nepal and Indian National sports councils. Press were represented from Kathamndu, Honk Kong, Delhi and New York.
Elephant polo, which was first played in its present form at Tiger Tops in 1982, was Developed from the sport of the Maharajas of Jaipur and Gwalior. A.V. Jim Edwards, Executive chairman of the Tiger Mountain Group, and James Manclark, former Bobsleigh champion and Scotish Landowner Dreamed it up in a bar in St. Moritz. Now internationally registered and recognised, elephant polp is a highly skilled game Played on four elephants with each team competing in two ten minute Chukkars on The 120 by 70 yards polo field. The ball is a normal pony polo ball and polo sticks Vary in length up to 100 inches depending on the size of the elephants. Players Colourfully attired in team shirts, pith helmets, breeches and boots are roped onto A"GADDI" or elephant pad behind the Mahout. This year a new leather "SADDLE" For the elephant was tried out with great success, complete with stirrups and a jumbo Sized girth.
The 1991 Championship will be played at Tiger Tops in early January.
Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge
P. O. Box 242
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977-1- 4361500
Fax No:- +977-1-4361600
Email:info@tigermountain.com
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