28th World Elephant Polo Championship in Bardia

The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) has finished its preparation for this year’s elephant polo championship which would be held in Bardia from November 29th to December 5th. This is the 28th championship in the history of WEPA.

The organizers have confirmed the participation of 11 teams including those from Hong Kong, Iceland, U.S. England, Singapore, Thailand and Nepal. The participating teams were supposed to have their practice the day before the championship.

There are two teams participating from Hong Kong and Scotland whereas other nations have a team participating from each. Tiger Tops is hosting the championships. Gauri Malakar of the organizing committee told that 16 elephants each from Bardia and Chitwan would be used in the championship. “Elephants were taken to Bardia on foot from Chitwan, and it took about 10 days for them to reach there,” the Tiger Tops representative told.

Very special of the WEPA championship this year is that it has got a new spot for the first time in the history of WEPA. In the 27-year-old history of WEPA championships it is the first time to be held in Bardia. The organizers of the event have decided to held this year’s edition at the Bardia National Park instead of its regular venue at Chitwan to promote domestic and international tourism in Bardiya. The championships was always held in Chitwan, but the tourism entrepreneurs are very cheerful about the decision to change the venue because they believe it would boost tourism in Bardia, finally contributing to the success of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.