Tuk-Tuk Polo. Screenshot: Youtube

An innovative and intense game introduced by an expat luxury hotelier has become an annual event in Sri Lanka, where Tuk-Tuk Polo is increasingly all the rage.

How did it start? Anglo-Australian expat Geoffrey Hobbs, who runs a chain of luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, started a polo tournament over a decade ago in Galle where players rode elephants instead of horses. In 2007, however, one elephant went rogue and smashed into several spectators’ cars. The competition was suspended for several years, finally reemerging in 2013, now played with colorful “tuk-tuk” three-wheel rickshaws, instead of living, accident-prone creatures.

Last year, Ruben Derksen shared the following footage from the tournament:

Ria Ramirez at the website Roar.lk writes:

The first tuk tuk polo tournament was played in March 2013 at the Galle Dutch Fort, followed by the second one last year, in 2015, and the response seems to be promising. Organised by the Ceylon Polo Club, the game certainly seems to have generated a lot of enthusiasm among foreigners and locals alike, with many people showing interest in the next event, which is happening in Galle, on the 19th of this month.

Ramirez also explained how the game is played:

The game comprises of three players per team. Each vehicle is manned by a driver, with the player taking up position in the back seat (while you can handle the horse and the mallet at the same time, the same cannot possibly be said of the tuk tuk. Not unless you want to end up wrapped around one of the goal posts). Tuk tuk polo makes use of the speed and easy maneuverability of the trishaw, the exceptional navigational skills of the driver, and some really brilliant hand-eye coordination from the players, to score by whacking the ball into the opponent’s goal.

In spite of its quirky nature, tuk tuk polo comes with its own set of rules and regulations, just like any other sport. Games are supervised by an umpire and are open to both males and females.

The game is played in two seven-minute rounds with a 15-minute halftime interval. This year, eight teams competed and the winners took home a grand prize of Rs. 200,000 ($1,430).

Audience members described the tournament as a “crazy day”:

Crazy day in the Sri Lankan sun filming Tuk Tuk Polo in the beach town of Galle. #filming pic.twitter.com/sooRwgS1Lw

— Trans World Sport (@TransWorldSport) February 21, 2016

Raghavendra Iyer from India wrote on Facebook:

‘Tuk Tuk Polo’ might be our new favourite game ever. Sorry Prince Harry – we much prefer this version of polo.

Emily Dobbs (@weligama_ldn) said on Instagram:

Team Taprobane ⛑ hilarious day competing at Tuk Tuk Polo with my uncle and cousin @rachelalicedobbs yes it exists and his helmet is too small; Daft Punk Sri Lanka

Tuk tuk polo match being fiercely contested in front of #Taprobane island, Weligama #Galle #SriLanka #Colombo pic.twitter.com/8upTDQAxBu

— Uda Kanda Villa (@UdaKandaVilla) December 30, 2015

Animal rights activist Sagarika Rajakarunanayake says she is glad that the game now uses tuk tuks, instead of elephants, given the typically “cruel treatment” they must endure, when used in such events.

Those intrigued but not won over entirely by tuk-tuk polo are invited to try tuk-tuk karaoke. For a taste, check out this British expat's adventure with singing in a rickshaw.