CHITRAL: Polo lovers have urged the authorities concerned to arrange live television and online coverage of the June 11 Shandur Polo Festival.A group of polo fans told journalists that the event enjoyed international recognition and deserved comprehensive live coverage to showcase both the sport and the region’s rich cultural heritage.
They said live broadcasts of Shandur festival at the world’s highest polo ground were arranged in the past despite limited communication and broadcasting facilities. “In an era of advanced technology and digital connectivity, the absence of live telecasts for such a prestigious event raises serious questions,” said Rahim Baig Lal, a polo enthusiast.
He pointed out that rising inflation and increasing travel costs prevented many people from attending the festival in person. “Elderly citizens, women, children, and overseas Pakistanis are also unable to travel to Shandur and therefore miss the opportunity to watch the matches firsthand,” said another elder. Live coverage, they said, would allow millions of viewers to enjoy the excitement of the traditional sport from their homes.
The polo enthusiasts said that the Shandur Polo Festival is not only a symbol of the cultural traditions of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan but also an important platform for promoting Pakistan’s tourism potential and positive image on the international stage.They called upon government institutions, the tourism department, district administration, and media organizations to ensure comprehensive and high-quality live coverage of the festival.
