GB Wins Shandur Polo Title After 15-Year Wait

Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated a major sporting breakthrough on Sunday after its polo team defeated Chitral 6-5 in the final of the Shandur Polo Festival, ending a 15-year wait for the title. The thrilling contest was played at Shandur, widely known as the world’s highest polo ground, before thousands of spectators from across Pakistan and abroad.

The final began with Chitral taking early control as captain Izhar Ali Khan scored in the opening minute, followed by another goal from teammate Nasirullah. Gilgit-Baltistan responded quickly and drew level by the ninth minute, setting the tone for a tense and physical match between two traditional rivals.

Chitral went into the break with a narrow 5-4 lead, but Gilgit-Baltistan kept pressing until the closing moments. Zulfiqar became the decisive figure for GB when he first scored the equaliser and then struck the winning goal in the final minute, turning the match into one of the most memorable Shandur finishes in recent years.

Saddam Raji of Gilgit-Baltistan played a central role in his side’s victory and was named man of the match for his performance. Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Umar Ahmed Bukhari later presented the trophy to the winning team and distributed prizes among the players, marking the official close of the festival’s main sporting event.

The game was not without setbacks for the winning side. Two Gilgit-Baltistan players were injured and had to leave the field, after which both teams continued the second half with four players each. Despite that disadvantage, GB held its shape and produced a late attacking push that stunned Chitral supporters.

The victory has emotional weight because Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan have dominated the history of the festival’s main rivalry. Chitral still leads the overall title count with 17 championships, while Gilgit-Baltistan’s latest triumph takes its tally to 14 and renews public excitement around freestyle polo in the mountain regions.

The Shandur Polo Festival is more than a sports tournament. Organised annually by the Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, it brings together polo, tourism, music, cultural performances, paragliding displays and other traditional activities that highlight the heritage of northern Pakistan.

Tourism officials say the festival has become a major attraction for domestic and international visitors since it began in 1982. Around 30,000 fans from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan were present this year, while tourists from other parts of Pakistan and overseas also travelled to the region for the event.

The festival has faced interruptions over the decades, including cancellations linked to regional tensions, boycotts, Covid-19 and administrative issues. The area of Shandur itself remains disputed between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, with ownership claims still under consideration by a provincial boundary commission.

Gilgit-Baltistan’s victory is expected to boost local morale, tourism promotion and interest in traditional mountain sports. The next challenge for organisers will be to preserve the festival’s sporting spirit while improving safety, logistics and regional coordination so that Shandur remains one of Pakistan’s most distinctive cultural and athletic showcases.