Shandur Polo Festival to begin tomorrow

PESHAWAR: The three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival will kick off at the world highest polo ground at Shandur in Chitral tomorrow (Saturday).

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak will inaugurate the event. Adviser to Chief Minister on Tourism Abdul Munim Khan, Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Secretary Mohammad Tariq, Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and other officials will accompany the chief minister, said an official statement.

It said the provincial government had taken solid steps for organising the Shandur Polo Festival in a befitting manner to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the scenic region and traditional game in large numbers this year.

The polo teams of Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Laspur, Mastuj and Ghizer would participate in the polo tournament.District Government Chitral, police, Pak Army and other institutions would provide security and other facilities to hold the gala peacefully.

The relevant departments have already renovated the polo ground at the Shandur Pass besides taking measures for the water supply, transport and providing other facilities to the participating teams, fans and tourists.

In addition to music and cultural evenings and traditional dances, the local artisans and skilled entrepreneurs would showcase their products and traditional foods.A camping village had already been established to highlight and promote the artworks of the Chitral and Gilgit local artists and skilled people.

Rafting in the Shandur lake, paragliding, archery and kite flying would be the other features of the event.The statement said that besides providing an opportunity of great thrill and enjoyment to the tourists, spectators and fans of the polo game, the event would also send a positive message to the outer world that peace and tranquility had been restored in the region.

The game has got international fame, which is being played at the highest polo ground of the world at Shandur Pass in Chitral.As Chitral is the most peaceful region, it attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists annually, especially during the Shandur and Kalash festivals.