In the final match played at the Baghmara Community Forest, the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park, Lions Club beat Kist 2-1. The star calf footballer was cheered by the audience for each of his shot on the ball.[break]
Kush gave a sixth minute lead to Lions. His second goal came in the 24th minute of the match. He scored six goals in nine matches in the tournament. Chitra Singh Kali scored a suicide goal for Lions Club.
Mahout Jimdar Chaudhary said he was happy to win the title. “I was sure that Kush would score and lead the team to victory.”
Kush had earlier played for Kist Bank in the first semifinal. Altogether eight elephant calves are trained to play football and they are selected through draws to play the matches for the four competing teams.
Along with the trophy and medals, the organizers gave away some cash prizes to the Mahout of the elephant calves.
In the elephant race, Bahadur Gaj of News 24 finished first while defending champion Champa Kali finished in the third position. Bahadur Gaj clocked 1 minute 12.21 seconds to complete the race. Bahadur improved his timing as he had completed the semifinal race in 1 minute 17.72 seconds.
Laki Kali of Coblenzer Beer finished second with 1 minute 13.37 seconds. Champa Kali clocked one minute 22.20 seconds to complete the 300 meters race.
The defending champion of Cart race, Hero Pawe of Green Society, had to satisfy in the second position after three years. Subash Chaudhary secured the first position while Birjan Majhi finished third.
Defending champion Jamun Mahat of Green Man´s Gada finished first in the 150 meters bullock cart race. Maila Tamang and Kanna Mahato secured the second and third positions respectively.
In the elephants´ beauty pageant, Beauty Kali was crowned with the title. All together three elephants had participated in the final round. The elephants were judged by their cat walk, decoration, health and the control of Mahout.
With the end of this year´s festival, the organizers said they will give continuity to the event next year. Keshav Pandey, a member of the organizing committee, said that they will introduce new event in the next edition. "We had introduced men´s 100 meter race this year and will introduce similar interesting event next year."
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