International Elephant Race being held in Chitwan, Nepal (Update: videos added)

The International Elephant Race has started in local Baghmara Community forest ground in Chitwan, some 85 km southwest of capital Kathmandu. In the competition, 10 local and 11 foreign teams are participating.

After today’s first round race, 12 elephants have entered the semi-final round. The semi-final competition will be held tomorrow (27th December, 2009).

Apart from the race there was an interesting footbal match among young Elephants. In today’s game Decibal team won by defeating the Chaudhari Groups by 1-0. With the win, the Decibal team has reached the final round. The eight young elephants were being trained for the last two weeks to play the football game.

In the game, the riders sit on their backs and attempt to get the elephants to kick the ball and score goals. Each team in the football game has four elephants. Three elephants play the ball and one guards the goal post. In the elephant football game, there are no fouls and off-sides. (Photo courtesy – Dipendra Baduwal)

UPDATE: Nepal’s sixth international elephant festival – Elephant football game video:

Elephant Race video