In the final of the three-day annual Shandur Freestyle Polo Festival held at the world’s highest polo ground, Shandur, Chitral Polo Team A defeated Gilgit Team A by 9 goals to 7 after a thrilling and tough competition to win the Shandur Trophy for the eighth consecutive time.
According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority spokesperson Muhammad Saad, the atmosphere of the final match was very exciting. Both teams scored 7 goals each in the stipulated time, after which the match was taken extra time.
In extra time, Chitral scored two brilliant goals, while the Gilgit team failed to score any more goals.
The festival began in Upper Chitral on June 20 with the mutual cooperation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Pakistan Army, Chitral Scouts and the district administration, which was attended by a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.
The first two days of the festival were successful for the Gilgit-Baltistan teams, however, Chitral turned the tables in the decisive battle.
At the closing ceremony held on the occasion of the final, the paragliding show and the performance of the musical band entertained the participants and the atmosphere of Shandur once again resonated with the slogans of Chitral’s victory.
The Shandur Festival is not only representative of the traditional polo competition between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, but it is also becoming an important means of promoting tourism, culture and regional harmony.
The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the matches were postponed in 2024 due to bad weather.
Back on the heights: Shandur festival sees Chitral lead the charge
