Summary
- In the final of the Shandur Polo Festival 2026, held at the world’s highest polo ground, Shandur, the Gilgit-Baltistan team delivered an outstanding performance and defeated Chitral in a thrilling contest by 6 goals to 5 to claim the title.
- In the first half, Chitral took the lead by scoring 5 goals while Gilgit-Baltistan stayed in the contest with 4 goals.
- Chitral’s team suffered a defeat in the final after 13 years after which Gilgit-Baltistan players celebrated enthusiastically on the polo ground.
In the final of the Shandur Polo Festival 2026, held at the world’s highest polo ground, Shandur, the Gilgit-Baltistan team delivered an outstanding performance and defeated Chitral in a thrilling contest by 6 goals to 5 to claim the title.
According to details, the final match was highly exciting. In the first half, Chitral took the lead by scoring 5 goals while Gilgit-Baltistan stayed in the contest with 4 goals. In the second half, Gilgit-Baltistan made a remarkable comeback, scored the decisive goal and secured victory.
Chitral’s team suffered a defeat in the final after 13 years after which Gilgit-Baltistan players celebrated enthusiastically on the polo ground. Spectators also gave the players a standing ovation and a vibrant atmosphere was witnessed throughout the event.
The chief guest at the closing ceremony was Corps Commander XI Corps Lieutenant General Umar Ahmad Bukhari who officially inaugurated the final match by throwing the ball. Senior military and civil officials were also present on the occasion.
The festival was organized with the joint collaboration of the Pakistan Army, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Chitral Scouts and district administration. The event was attended by senior officials including IG FC Major General Rao Imran, Commandant Chitral Scouts Colonel Arslan, Commissioner Malakand Masood Ahmed, Secretary Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saadat Hassan, Director General Tourism Authority Shahid Khan and Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Muhammad Imran.
Thousands of tourists from across the country and foreign guests were also present at Shandur to watch the final match where they thoroughly enjoyed the traditional sport and the thrilling competition.
The festival concluded with celebrations amid the beautiful mountainous scenery of Shandur and the event was widely praised as a successful and memorable cultural and sporting festival.
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