KATHMANDU (Reuters) - The future of a popular elephant polo event in Nepal is uncertain because of a delay in renewing the lease agreement of seven resorts in southern Nepal where the game is played, organisers said on Tuesday.
The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) Cup tournament draws players from India, Britain, the United States and Australia and is played annually at Meghauli in the Chitwan National Park in southern Nepal.
But seven resorts in the area have closed after their lease agreements expired in mid-July.
Authorities say two parliamentary panels are considering whether to allow the old resorts to run inside the park, known for its Royal Bengal tigers and the one-horned Asian rhinoceroses, or to allow new operators.
"The uncertainty arising from the government's slow approach to the lease renewal has caused WEPA committee members to rethink the future of elephant polo in this country," said Tim Edwards, director of the Tiger Mountain travel group that organizes the tournament.
"Alternative countries are already being considered," he said without elaborating.
Elephant polo matches are also played in Thailand and Sri Lanka but not on the scale of those held in Nepal.
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