By Abdul Sattar
PESHAWAR: Chitral defeated the arch-rival Gilgit and lifted the Shandur polo trophy at the world’s highest polo ground Shandur on Tuesday. On the last day of the three-day festival, Corps Commander Peshawar Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood was the chief guest.
Senior Minister for sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Muhammad Atif Khan, MNA, MPA from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, jam-packed spectators and supports of the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral teams were present.
Chitral took the lead in the very outset of the final, when veteran and a key player of the Chitral Sikander Ul Mulk slammed in beautiful goal on a long drive, straightly gone into the goal-post in the free from a foul traditional polo match.
But in the very next minute Asmat Ullah’s goal equal the tally 1-1. Chitral scored two more goals when Shadi Khan with his perfect hours riding and forceful hitting made the tally 3-1. Later on, Chitral scored two more goals very quickly, one scored by Sikander Ul Mulk and the other scored by Shadi Khan. It was the third goal of Shadi Khan and second of Sikander Ul Mulk.
Thus Chitral won the match by a 5-1. Shadi Khan was declared man of the match.
Shandur polo ground is called the “Roof of the World” and the King Games has been held annually since 1936. Chitral team has dominated and tournament and lifted most of the trophies.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has inaugurated the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival at the world highest polo ground last Sunday. The festival was organised by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) and administration of Chitral district.
The festival has gained international recognition and every year attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists to watch the thrilling matches between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan and also seen the natural beauty of Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan.
