Holiday makers to witness Polo on bikes!

Horse sport lovers have heard of Equestrian, Polo and even Elephant Polo, but have you ever heard of Cycle Polo? Strange but true, Cycle Polo is a popular pasttime in many nations worldwide, and will soon be displayed with a series of exhibition games to be held in the hill capital - Nuwara Eliya this month.

It originated in Ireland by Richard Mecredi (1891) - this common man's version of the Sport of Kings quickly made its way to the British mainland and subsequently to the United States in 1897. In 1908 it was included in the Olympic Games held in Shephards Bush, London.

Cycle Polo nearly died a natural death during the First World War, but enjoyed a revival in the 1930s and its popularity has since been increasing.

In India it was initially utilized as a training measure for Polo players during the off season and has since accumulated a significant following. When the common folk incorporated this game into their leisure activities.

The sport remains popular among many Equestrian Polo players in India both as a means of conditioning and in order to practice team strategy.

Currently the Cycle Polo Federation of India has a membership of over 10,000 members, not including the thousands that play the sport informally.

There are some minor rule differences between the American version of the game and the rules used in India and the other five nations in the Asian Cycle Polo Federation. But it is basically Polo on bicycles with no ride-off and a three-hit limit.

This is to show by Premadasa Riding School. These efforts are made to introduce Cycle Polo to the masses, in the form of three exhibition matches to be held on 18, 20 and the 22 April in front of the Nuwara Eliya racetrack.

Cycle Polo players from India will be travelling to the island, with the sole aim of participating in these matches.