Chitral A win Polo Cup final

CHITRAL: Chitral A defeated Chitral Scouts with a narrow 5-4 victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd in a nail-biting final of the Pre-Shandur Festival Polo Tournament.

The match kicked off with high energy and in the fifth minute of the first half, Adnan Ahmed scored the opening goal for Chitral A. Moments later, Asghar Hussain added another goal, giving Chitral A an early lead. However, Chitral Scouts quickly bounced back with two goals before the end of the first half, leveling the score.

In the second half, Chitral A regained the lead with another goal, but Chitral Scouts responded swiftly, not only equalising but then taking a 4-3 lead. Chitral A, showing resilience and strong teamwork, dominated the later stages of the game and scored two consecutive goals to seal the victory.

Man of the Tournament honors went to Adnan Ahmed for his exceptional performance.Provincial Sports Minister Syed Fakhar Jahan, along with PTI leader and MNA Umar Amin Gandapur and MPA Chitral Fateh-ul-Mulk Ali Nasir, distributed awards to the players. Acting Deputy Commissioner Abdul Salam was also present at the event.

In his address, Minister Fakhar Jahan highlighted the cultural importance of polo in Chitral, describing it as more than a sport - a tradition deeply rooted in the region’s history. He praised both teams for their professional and technically sound performances.

The minister also announced construction of a modern sports complex in Chitral, including facilities for polo, football, and other sports.He also announced the establishment of a Riding Club to train young players in polo; inclusion of this tournament in the official sports calendar to ensure its annual organization.The winning team received a trophy and cash prize of Rs 200,000, while the runner-up team was awarded Rs 100,000.