CHITRAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi inaugurated the three-day annual Shandur Polo festival on Thursday, as teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan competed in four matches on the opening day of the event.
In the opening match, Laspur A outclassed Phandar A 9-0 in a one-sided contest, while Laspur B also registered a comfortable victory over its rival, Phandar B. In the third match, Yasin Sub-Division of Gilgit-Baltistan defeated Mastuj of Chitral 8-5 in a fiercely contested encounter.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the governor said polo players were being provided full support and appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department for successfully organising the festival despite limited resources.
Provincial Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafiullah Jan and Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Tourism Adil Malik were also present on the occasion.Kundi said the government would also work to promote the traditional sport of Buzkashi and announced plans to introduce more initiatives aimed at attracting more tourists.
The governor said he would take up the issue of road restoration with the National Highway Authority and would also recommend that the provincial government take measures to improve road infrastructure in the area.
Besides the polo matches, a variety of cultural activities, including paragliding demonstrations, children’s tableaux, traditional dances, and folk performances, were held, adding color and excitement to the event. Tourists and visitors showed keen interest in the cultural programmes while enjoying the scenic beauty of Shandur.
The annual Shandur Polo Festival is regarded as one of Pakistan’s premier cultural and sporting events. It not only strengthens the historic and cultural ties between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan but also highlights the country’s tourism potential and promotes a positive image of Pakistan.
