Should a stick be broken, when play is in the D, the game is not stopped until the ball leaves the D. For a broken stick when play is outside of the D, the game is stopped while the player changes his stick. The players must wear polo helmets or trad. sola topis. Should a player's hat fall off outside the D, the game is stopped while the hat is recovered; should the hat fall inside the D, the game continues and will only stop when the ball is outside the D. At the end of each match the elephants are given sugar cane or rice balls with vitamins, while the players can have cold beer or soft drinks, and not vice versa, as is humorously stated in the official elephant polo rules. In case of a draw, a penalty shoot-out is used. The penalties are taken from the center of the D line with no elephant defending the goal. Should it still be a draw after all four players from each team have made their hit then a sudden-death penalty shoot-out is used to determine the winner.
History. The origins of elephant polo played without fixed rules go back to the 1960s. The game was initially practiced on the international level by rich amateurs of exotic sports.
Elephant polo is ardently supported by the Nepalese government as an important part of the national heritage. The Elephant Polo World Championships have been held since 1981. The top teams from two international elephant polo leagues play the final game. In 1982, the World Elephant Polo Association, WEPA was formed in Chitwan, Nepal. Every December, the Nepal Open Tournament is held in Megauly under WEPA auspices. The sport is primarily practiced in Nepal, but it is also known in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and in South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Mozambique. In African countries elephant polo is a popular tourist attraction. The world leading teams, both national and international, include: National Parks Nepal, Swissair, Brit. Gurkha Gladiators, Chivas Regal (India), Eldorado (USA), Screwy Tuskers (USA), Harry Winston Rough Cuts (Japan), Cresta Poonanhis (South Africa), International Mercenaries, and Ladies International Team.
History. The origins of elephant polo played without fixed rules go back to the 1960s. The game was initially practiced on the international level by rich amateurs of exotic sports.
Elephant polo is ardently supported by the Nepalese government as an important part of the national heritage. The Elephant Polo World Championships have been held since 1981. The top teams from two international elephant polo leagues play the final game. In 1982, the World Elephant Polo Association, WEPA was formed in Chitwan, Nepal. Every December, the Nepal Open Tournament is held in Megauly under WEPA auspices. The sport is primarily practiced in Nepal, but it is also known in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and in South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Mozambique. In African countries elephant polo is a popular tourist attraction. The world leading teams, both national and international, include: National Parks Nepal, Swissair, Brit. Gurkha Gladiators, Chivas Regal (India), Eldorado (USA), Screwy Tuskers (USA), Harry Winston Rough Cuts (Japan), Cresta Poonanhis (South Africa), International Mercenaries, and Ladies International Team.
