Known as a ‘Games of Kings’, the annual interna-tionally famed Shandur polo festival is a unique historical sports played in the world highest polo ground between Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan teams since 1937 attracted influx of tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts was sucessfully concluded here Sunday.
Played on an altitude of some 12,000 feet of above sea level at Shandur pass at Upper Chitral during July 1-3, 2022, the festival witnessed a large number of tourists, adventurers and polo lovers from across the country that applauded both the experi-enced and young players during the thrilling free-style polo matches amid great sportsmen spirit, fun and excitement.
Sucessfully organized since 1937, this year’s impressive festival was inagurated by Secretary Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Tahir Orakzai and Direc-tor General Cultural and Tourism Authority KP Abid Wazir.
Excited matches, paragliding, adventure and cultural events were held in the beautiful valley of Shandur surrounded by the snow-clad mountains and lush green forests amid birds chanting velleys, hide and seek between sun and clouds and cool breeze that doubled joys of sports enthusiasts.
The event was organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) in collaboration with Headquarters XI Corps Peshawar, Frontier Corps North, District Administration Chitral Upper and Lower after a break of two years due COVID-19 pandemic.
Secretary Tourism, Muhammad Tahir Orakzai told media that It was due to the efforts of govern-ment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that we are able to witness the successful Shandur polo festival after a gap of two years.
“The rugged polo is our traditional game that plays an important role in promotion of adventure tourism.
