The Pukka Chukkas of Chiswick

Team retains creditable ranking at World Elephant Polo Championships in Nepal

Bizzaire as it may seem The Pukka Chukkas, England's sole representative at the World Elephant Polo Championships, are actually based in Chiswick.

The team retained their world ranking of 7th place with a creditable bronze medal at the championships in Nepal this month beating the Afghanistan team.

Teams competed from around the world, with EFG International of Switzerland narrowly edging The Sepoys from the UAE to become World Champions.

The Pukka Chukkas have raised over £20,000 for Multiple Sclerosis charities since they first played the tournament in 2008.

This year the team was also awarded the "Best Dressed" trophy by the British Gurkhas.

The Pukka Chukkas also sponsored a Bicycle Polo Tournament in Nepal, which attracted teams from England, Norway, Switzerland, Nepal, The British Gurkhas, Iceland and the eventual winners - Afghanistan. Almost £4,000 was raised during the bicycle polo tournament and this was split between the MS Society UK and the International Trust For Nature Conservation (ITNC). The Pukka Chukkas donated the bicycles used in the tournament to local villages and to the ITNC, who will use them to set and monitor camera traps used to aid tiger conservation efforts in the Chitwan National Park.

For more information see www.pukkachukkas.com

December 10, 2010