02/07/2023
Shandur Polo Festival Overview
The Shandur Polo Festival is an annual event held in the Shandur Pass, located in Gilgit Baltistan regions of Pakistan. Shandur Pass is situated at an elevation of about 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest polo grounds in the world.
The festival is a popular cultural and sporting event that attracts both local and international visitors. It usually takes place in the first week of July, although specific dates may vary each year. The festival showcases the traditional sport of polo, which has been played in the region for centuries. The unique aspect of Shandur Polo is that it is played on the open grassy field of the Shandur Pass, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
During the festival, teams from different regions of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan compete against each other in thrilling polo matches. The local teams represent their respective villages or valleys, creating a sense of rivalry and camaraderie. The matches are fiercely contested, and the skill and agility of the players are on full display.
In addition to polo, the festival also features cultural performances, music, dance, and traditional cuisine. Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant local culture, interact with the friendly locals, and witness traditional games and activities.
The Shandur Polo Festival is not only a celebration of the sport but also serves as a platform to promote tourism and cultural exchange in the region. It has gained international recognition and attracts a significant number of tourists each year who come to witness this unique event in a spectacular mountainous setting.
Onward 1982 History of Shandur Polo Festival as follows;
1982..gilgit wins 16/2 captain wilayat khan
1986....Chitral Wins 7/4
Captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
1989...gilgit wins 9/4
Captain late Raji Rehmat,,
1990...gilgit wins 16/3 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1991....gilgit wins 9/0 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1992.. Gilgit wins 8/4 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1993..chitral wins 8/7 captain Shahzada Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
1994..gilgit wins 6/4 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1995..chitral wins 5/3 captain sub major Maqbool,,
1996...gilgit wins 8/4 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1997...chitral 5/4 captain sub major Maqbool,,
1998..Gilgit wins 7/4 captain Raji Rehmat,,
1999 No game because of Kargil war......
2000 chitral wins 7/4 captain SM Maqbool,,
2001 gilgit wins 5/4 captain Bulbul Jan,,
2002 gilgit wins 7/4 captain Bulbul jan,,
2003 gilgit wins 8/4 captain Bulbul jan,,
2004 chitral wins 7/3 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2005 gilgit wins 6/3 captain Muhammad Diyar,,
2006 chitral wins 9/7 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2007 chitral wins 3/2 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2008 chitral wins 8/6 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2009 chitral wins 9/2 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2010 boycott by Gilgit
2011 gilgit wins 7/4 captain Ghulam Abbas,,
2012 chitral wins 11/4 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2013,,,,,2014,,,,,2015,,, boycott by Gilgit many Reasons......... We will discuss later.......
2016 chitral wins 11/6 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2017 Chitral Wins 12/7 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2018 Chitral Wins 10/5 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2019 chitral wins score 6/5 captain Sikandar Ul Mulk,,
2020,, 2021 Cancelled due to COVID
2022 Chitral Wins 10/9 Captain Sikandar Ul Mulk..
Total wins onward 1982
Chitral wins 16 times
Gilgit wins 13 times....
As captain Sikandar Ul Mulk wins 13 times..
As captain Raji Rehmat wins 7 times
As captain Bulbul jan wins 3 times ...
As captain SM Maqbool wins 3 times....
As captain Wilayat Khan wins 1 time...
As captain Muhammad Diyar wins 1 time...
As captain Ghulam Abbas wins 1 time...
