Elephant Polo 2014: an Elephantastic event in Bangkok!
This year, for the first time in its history, the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament packs its trunks and moves from its original home in the Royal seaside town of Hua Hin to the Siam Polo Park at the VR Sports Club in Bangkok.
Anantara’s Elephant Polo is the 6th largest annual event on the Thai tourism calendar and has become one of the biggest charitable events in South East Asia. Last year’s event raised over USD $750,000 to benefit Thailand’s wild and domesticated elephant population.
All for the Elephants
The welfare of the elephants participating in the polo tournament is paramount, with strict rules in place to ensure that the pachyderms are well cared for at all times: the chosen elephants must be young and still at an age where they will thoroughly enjoy the sport, but large enough to carry a player with ease; plus each elephant is limited to a maximum of half an hour play per day, with at least 90 minutes out in the forest, the river or eating a well balanced meal between each 14 minute game.
Fundraising from last year’s event was donated to a number of projects in Thailand including supporting research and clinics using elephants in therapy sessions for children living with autism; building the first elephant hospital in Krabi and donations to support lame elephants at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC).
Quick Rules
- All elephants carry a player and a mahout
- Ladies are allowed to use both hands and mallets of around two metres in length are used
- Any team with 3 elephants in one half of the pitch is judged to have committed a foul.
- No elephants may lie down in front of the goal mouth
- An elephant may not pick up the ball in its trunk during play. To do so constitutes a foul and a free hit is awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the ball was picked up.
- There are no restrictions as to the height, weight or sex of the elephants.
Fun Facts
- Elephants in this tournament only respond to Thai commands from their mahouts.
- The first elephant polo games were played with a soccer ball. These were quickly changed to standard polo balls after it was realized the elephants liked to stamp and pop the soccer balls!
- Some players train themselves by sitting atop a slow-moving jeep and swinging at a ball using an actual Elephant Polo stick. Others train in swimming pools by swinging a golf club through the water with one hand to strengthen their wrists!
- Sugar cane or rice balls packed with vitamins (molasses and rock salt) shall be given to the elephants at the end of each match, and a cold beer or soft drink to the elephant drivers, not vice versa.
Highlights of the event
Elephant Polo doesn’t just take place on the pitch! During the 4 days of the tournament there will be many activities for the entire family:
Thursday 28th August: Grand opening parade, Elephant and monk blessing ceremony and Elephant Fruit Buffet
Friday 29th: Elephant education & Kids Day
Saturday 30th: 2 pm – 5 pm: Dress to impress for Lady’s Day and win 5 nights in the Maldives, Miss Tiffany Ladyboy Cabaret Show at the pitch at 8.30pm and music til late!
Sunday 31st: Tournament Grand Finale
Every day: Inflatable Slide, fun activities for children of all ages and daily prize draws!
This year, for the first time, patrons are encouraged to share their most elephantastic selfie on Instagram, tagging #elephantpolobkk, for chances to win a dream holiday at one of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, or at an Anantara Vacation Club Resort .
The selfie which best represents the spirit of Elephant Polo will win 3 days/2 nights for two adults at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort & Spa. The most fun and creative selfie will win 3 days/2 nights for two adults at Anantara Vacation Club Bophut Koh Samui.
Entering is Easy:
- Follow both @anantaraclub and @anantara_hotels on Instagram
- Take a Selfie
- Tag it #elephantpolobkk
- Upload it
See you there!
[Info and facts from the Elephant Polo official website: http://www.anantaraelephantpolo.com/ ]
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