Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas in Abu Dhabi has announced that a team has been selected to represent the United Arab Emirates in this year’s highly popular King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament to be held in Bangkok 28 – 31 August. 

The annual tournament, now in its thirteenth year, has become one of the biggest charitable events in South East Asia. Last year’s event which had 16 teams encompassing over 50 players, including Thai supermodels, professional horse polo players, the New Zealand All-Blacks rugby team and Thailand’s famous cabaret team Miss Tiffany’s was a far cry from the small two teamed event back when it started in 2001. Over $US750,000 has been raised and donated to projects that better the lives of Thailand’s wild and domesticated elephant population.

The “Anantara Arabian Knights” team representing the United Arab Emirates comprises five members:  Mr Steve Thompson, Mr Stuart Allan, Ms Kristin Grube, Mr Amer Braik and Mr Wael Soueid.

“Our team members come with good mallet skills developed as regular horseback polo players with the exception of our secret weapon, Amer, who has no polo background whatsoever.  We are hoping that he will positively impact our handicap.” remarked Wael Soueid.

Wael explains that 2014 marks the second year participating in the tournament for the Anantara Arabian Knights and that they are well prepared and know what to expect this year from the event and the other competing teams.

“Despite our experience as polo players, trading our trusty polo ponies for the gentle giants is a completely different game.   It’s an exciting spectator sport and highly entertaining for the players as well supporting charitable causes.”   said Wael Soueid,  Captain, Anantara Arabian Knights Elephant Polo team.

A total of 50 street elephants will take part in this year’s tournament, during which they are well fed, provided with a native forest environment, and receive essential vitamin supplements, full veterinary checks and care for the duration of the event.  

Street life and ‘unemployment’ can be tough for an elephant, walking through crowded tourist areas and busy roads for ten hours a night, forced to rest during the day on small green spaces within the cities, often without shade and water.  The King’s Cup schedule is deliberately designed to give these elephants rest and relaxation on a scale they are never afforded in their ‘normal’ lives.

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