GB Defeats Chitral in Thrilling Final
Gilgit-Baltistan made history by winning the Shandur Polo Festival title after 15 years.
The GB polo team defeated Chitral by 6-5 in a dramatic final at the world’s highest polo ground. The match lasted nearly an hour and kept thousands of spectators on edge until the final minute.
Chitral started strongly. Captain Izhar Ali Khan scored the opening goal in the first minute. His teammate Nasirullah soon added another goal, giving Chitral early control.
Gilgit-Baltistan responded with energy and focus. By the ninth minute, GB scored two quick goals and brought the match level.
The first half ended with Chitral leading 5-4. The match remained intense as both teams pushed hard for the title.
In the final moments, GB’s Zulfiqar scored a crucial equaliser. He then scored the winning goal, giving Gilgit-Baltistan a memorable 6-5 victory.
Saddam Raji Shines as GB Claims Trophy
Saddam Raji played a key role in GB’s success. His strong performance helped his team stay in the contest during pressure moments.
He was later named man of the match for his outstanding display.
Chitral’s Arbab Quli missed more than five scoring chances. Those missed opportunities proved costly in the final result.
The match also saw injuries. Two GB players were injured and had to leave the field. Both teams then continued the second half with four players each.
Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Umar Ahmed Bukhari presented the trophy to the winning team. He also distributed prizes among the players.
With this victory, Gilgit-Baltistan now has 14 Shandur titles. Chitral remains ahead with 17 championships.
Thousands Attend Festival at World’s Highest Polo Ground
A large number of local and foreign tourists attended the Shandur Polo Festival. Around 30,000 fans from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan were also present.
The festival is held every year in June and July. It is jointly organised by the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event is not limited to polo. It also highlights the region’s rich culture and tourism potential.
Cultural performances, music shows, paragliding displays and angling competitions were also part of the festival.
A Gilgit-Baltistan tourism official said the Shandur Polo Festival has become a major attraction for national and international visitors. The event has been organised since 1982.
However, it was not held in some years due to different reasons. It was cancelled in 1999 because of the Kargil War. Gilgit-Baltistan also boycotted the festival in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
The festival was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19. It was also cancelled in 2024.
Shandur remains a disputed area between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Ownership claims by both sides are still under review by a provincial boundary commission.
