28 teams participating in Chitral polo event

CHITRAL: At least 28 teams are participating in the ongoing annual polo tournament from across Chitral in the polo ground constructed by Prince Riazuddin on his own land.

The week-long event draws players from both the city and distant valleys of the region.Speaking to reporters, Prince Riazuddin said that besides covering the expenses for the setting up and maintenance of the ground, he personally bears the cost of food, lodging and stabling for dozens of players and their horses.

He added, “I am a polo player myself and have a deep love for the sport. I currently own 14 horses, each with its own specialised equipment.”Prince Riazuddin said that official tournaments had been organised by the government at the state polo ground.

Polo is often regarded as a royal sport, and it has been played in Chitral since ancient times.A member of Chitral’s royal family, Prince Riazuddin, the grandson of Prince Burhanuddin, who served as a combat pilot in the British Air Force during World War II, has continued this royal legacy.Prince Burhanuddin had flatly refused to bomb Japan during the war, and to this day, the Japanese government holds his family in high esteem.