Mind the mallets (and the heavy feet)

THE MIGHTY squad from King Power Duty Free emerged as champions of the 14th King’s Cub Elephant Polo Tournament, out-riding and out-shooting their rivals from Rueang Chang in a thrilling final held earlier this month on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. 

Sunsiri Yordmeungchareon of the Thai Beverage subsidiary that distils Mekhong whiskey, pointed out that the match coincided with Thai Elephant Day. Mekhong became a sponsor of the tournament this year. 

“We served Mekhong Thai Sabai, ‘the signature drink of Thailand’, to our guests from around the world so they could taste the spirit of Thailand,” she said. “We’re proud to share our brand with the tourists, and it’s an honour to have so many foreign athletes as well as business executives take an interest in elephant polo and participate in the competition. They’re all intrigued by Thai culture – and impressed with the talents of Thai elephants!”

Ten teams took to the field, mingling professionals and amateurs. Audemars Piguet & Citi, Anantara Arabian Knight, Casillero Del Diablo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, New Zealand’s All Blacks, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas, as well as Mekhong, had teams in the running.

The members of Team Mekhong – Tim Beaumont, Franck Constant, David and William Wildridge and David Patridge – concurred that their fascination with “Thainess” led them to enter the tournament, but their astonishing skill and use of psychology in controlling their elephants drew admiring comments all round. 

“I cannot think of anywhere else but Thailand to play this kind of sport, and Thai elephants are incredible,” said David Wildridge, who had his son William on the team. “Elephant polo requires many skills, including strength and psychology. Unlike in polo with horses and other equine sports, the elephant’s slow but strong movement and the communication between mahout and elephant require concentration and quick reflexes at the same time.”

“Strategy is essential in communicating with the mahouts and other teammates,” agreed Patridge, a former pilot from the United States. “But it’s a great sport for improving not only your concentration but also cooperation and teamwork. A lot of my friends who’ve seen my photos want to come here and try elephant polo now because in our country there aren’t any tame elephants or mahouts to train them properly.”

Constant pointed out that elephant polo offers both novelty and benefits for everyone who’s involved. “The participants get the sport benefits and the elephants are well fed and properly tended. And these are the most amazing elephants we’ve ever seen!”

The tournament was another fund-raiser for efforts to help Thai elephants, both those struggling to survive in the wild and the domesticated beasts that labour for man. 

The Mekhong team has posted photos from the event among its activity updates at www.Facebook.com/mekhon|gthailand.