WTF (EXTRA) - Tuk Tuk Polo Tournament 

What - TUK TUK POLO 
Where - Galle Football Grounds 
When - February 20-21 
Who - Geoffrey Dobbs 

This week on our EXTRA segment on WTF we went off to Galle to capture this new wave of sportsmanship, and that’s with our everyday tuk tuk. With the world becoming a voice for the voiceless animals, I’m so happy that this option is there, to keep the sport alive and to also keep the animals calm. An elephant polo tournament in Sri Lanka was scrapped after one of the beasts went rogue. It was revived with tuk-tuk taxis taking their place, to the relief of animal lovers. And I think it’s a better localised game now! 

I spoke to one of the main organisers of the challenge, Tarik Stafford who says “This is founded by hotelier Geoffrey Dobbs, and Tuk Tuk Polo is really a spin-off from Elephant Polo. Whilst trying to bring elephant polo from Nepal and Thailand to Sri Lanka, it was quickly discovered that Sri Lankan elephants had a harder time playing the sport without losing their composure - this is mainly due to the fact that mahouts in Sri Lanka walk side by side with their elephants, whilst in Nepal and Thailand mahouts sit on the heads of their elephants from a young age and create a much stronger bond. As a result, the World Elephant Polo Association deemed the sport to be unsafe for elephants and the community alike and official elephant polo tournaments in Sri Lanka came to an end. Dobbs then conceived the idea of Tuk Tuk Polo and established the event in Galle about four years ago. 

Initially it was isolated as a small event and it really only reached out to an expat market. As the tournament went through three alterations, Geoffrey decided to compose a committee of five individuals who could conceptualise and drive an event with a much greater reach. Our initial concept was to try and reach out to the local market as well as the expat market and see if we could drive sponsorship through teams. However, we then connected with Lakderana Investments, a Sri Lankan company that specialises in financing for local communities and businesses (including facilitating individuals to purchase their own tuk-tuks). Lakderana’s involvement was key in turning the event from a fun game played by expats into a real sport with community involvement, that we hope will be able to expand across the country. For the organisers it was really moving to see expats and locals coming together, celebrating a sport with a distinct Sri Lankan flavour. As one of the Lakderana organisers eloquently put it "You are taking a sport that was originally played by kings, removing the animal and replacing it with a vehicle that is abundant in Sri Lanka. You aren't bringing the sport down to the people, you are bringing the people up to the sport!"." 

I spoke to Geoffrey Dobbs “ I want to make this a national sport, bigger than cricket!” 

The rules of the game are simple: 

There are 3 players per team on the field, the size of which is determined by the organising committee. 

The game consists of two 7 minute chukkas of playing time with an interval of 15 minutes. 

To ensure fair and unbiased play, tuk tuk drivers and goal ends will be changed at half time. 

No team may have more that two tuks tuks in one half at any given time. 

Only one tuk tuk of each side may enter the goalmouth D. 

All tuks tuks will be supplied by the club. 

No tuk tuk can stop in front of the goals. 

All participants except tuk tuks must wear a protective helmet. 

Gentleman may only play with their right hand, ladies may use both hands. In the event of a dispute about a player’s sex, the umpire’s decision will be final. 

In the event of an accident, play stops until the tuk tuk or player is replaced. Teams can have up to 3 replacement players. 

At half time and final whistle, tuk tuks can fuel up, drivers can have water and players an arrack sour but not vice versa. 

THE FOLLOWING SHALL CONSTITUTE A FOUL: 

Hooking the opponent’s stick. 

Deliberately crossing a tuk tuk from which the ball is being played. 

Standing over the ball, backing or going forward over the ball to stop a player reaching the ball. 

Intentional hitting of opponents or the umpire (hitting a team member is encouraged). 

Any dispute will be settled by the Committee whose decision is final. Approved by the Ceylon Polo Club. 

For more details log on to www.tuktukpolo.com.

Hope you enjoy our WTF today! 

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Today on WTF: 

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Video and photographs by You're My Favorite 
Transport Partner - PickMe