Mahmood Khan to inaugurate Shandur Polo – King Game at highest polo ground of world

By Ijaz Ahmad
CHITRAL : Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan will inaugurate the three-day Shandur Polo Festival at the world highest polo ground on earth Shandur here today (Sunday).
Shandur Polo ground is situated at a highest level 3800m called as the “Roof of the World” and the King Games has been held annually since 1936. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin which have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, the British Rulers were the patrons of the game.
Shandur Pass is one of the major mountain passes between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the history of Chitral, Shandur is the property of the royal family of Mastuj Chitral, and due to ownership issue the polo was disbanded between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. During the early 20th century, the British in neighboring India were the patrons of the game.
Free-styled mountain polo is arguably polo in its purest form. This version of the game played at Shandur-Top has attained legendary status and is of great interest to international and domestic adventure tourists alike. There are no umpires and there are no holds barred.

The rules are – There are no rules! In “The Roof of the World” as compared by historian to an American Wild West rodeo might pass for choir practice.” A player once mentioned: “You can ride head-on into the opponent, if you dare.”
The festival, being organized by the TCKP and administration of Chitral district, attracts thousands of foreign and domestic tourists, fans of “King of games and game of kings” – polo – to watch the thrilling matches between the teams of Chitral and GB.
Chitral A and B teams and GB A and B teams are participating in the spectacular polo festival. The Laspur team will face Ghizer on the opening day of the event while Chitral Team-B and GB Team-B will show their prowess on the second day.
The TCKP has made all arrangements to hold the festival in a befitting manner to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the scenic region and traditional game in large number. “This year, the number of foreign and domestic tourists will be great as compared to the yester years as complete peace has been restored in the province and the condition of acquiring no objection certificate (NOC) for the international tourists has already been withdrawn,” said an official, who is member of the team that has been assigned to organize the event.
He said an information centre has also been established in Chitral so that tourists could not face any hardships during their stay. He said that boarding and lodging facilities were in place for both foreign and domestic tourists as beautiful tent-village had been set up.
The district government Chitral, police, army and other institutions would extend full support to hold the gala at the world’s highest polo ground peacefully.  The polo ground has been renovated, while water supply, transport and other facilities would be provided to the participating teams, fans and tourists. The local artisans and skilled entrepreneurs would showcase their products besides polo game, food stalls, traditional music and dances and adventurous activities in the gala.
For this purpose, stalls have been established to highlight and promote the artworks of Chitral and Gilgit local artists and skilled people. Rafting in Shandur lake, paragliding, archery, fireworks and kite flying would be other features of the event to attract domestic and foreign tourists in great numbers.
Chitral is the most peaceful region and it attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists annually, especially during the Shandur and Kalash festivals.