Bangkok--31 Aug--Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
The 2014 King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament kicked off today in Bangkok, with the opening day of the event offering a spectacle of seasoned elephant polo players, a colourful parade, Thailand’s last elephant spirit men and 50 street elephants.
The proceedings began early in the morning with a traditional ceremony overseen by monks who placed sacred garlands over the necks of the 50 elephants and then blessed them with a trickle of scented water. Thailand’s last elephant spirit men (Khru Ba Yai), who possess spiritual control over all elephants, also presided over the rituals and assured the polo players and spectators alike that the tournament would indeed be a resounding success.
The opening match saw Citibank take on the Sarah Story Designer team with both teams tied at the first half. Sarah Story’s star player, Michael Goodwill, scored a sensational five goals allowing the team to go through to the quarter finals with a winning score of 10-8.
The game of the day was between novice players Manish Jha, Lars Kerfin and Cameron Humphries, representing Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas, who upset polo veterans Raj Kalaan, David Wildridge and Fergus Prentice playing for Bangkok Bank with a closely fought match ending with a score line of 6-4. There was impressive play on both sides, with Anantara’s Cameron Humphries proving a great all-rounder, with excellent defense and scoring all the goals for Anantara. Fergus Prentice from Bangkok Bank scored the final goal in the closing minutes of the game but it wasn’t enough to claim victory with Anantara winning their first game of the tournament.
All elephants taking part in the tournament are street elephants that receive essential vitamin supplements, full veterinary checks and care for the duration of the tournament. All funds raised from this year’s King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament will be donated to various projects throughout Thailand. To date the tournament has raised over US$750,000 (BHT 24 million).
Day 1 – Scores
Sara Story Design V Citibank 10 – 8
The Peninsula V Mercedes Benz V The Peninsula 9 – 7
Audemars Piguet V Louis Roederer Hong Kong 12 – 7
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas V Bangkok Bank 6 - 4
Mekhong V King Power 7 - 5
Rueang Chang V Hendrick's Gin 8 - 4