CHITRAL, July 09 (APP): Gilgit avenged Chitral in front of hundreds and thousands cheering spectator in a thrill-packed final played at an altitude of almost 4000 meters above sea level, the highest and famous polo ground of the world, situated at Shandur Pass.Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Medi Shah was the chief guest on this occasion.Beside him, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Minister, Syed Aqil Shah, Khyber-Pakhtoonkhawa Population Minister Salim Khan, DCO Chitral Rehmat Ullah Wazir, representative of the Commandant Chitral Scouts and President Chitral PoloAssociation Sikandar Ul Mulak with other dignitaries of the provincial and federal government and large number of game enthusiast, local and foreign tourists were also present.Last year Gilgit team did not turned up for the show but this time the team was in tremendous form, showing their superiority in all departments.
The horsemen were jubilant, showing their superiority and command besides polo skills.Ghulam Abbas was the pick of the pack who not only delighted the sittingspectators with his spontaneous single handed riding but also scored four goals in each chakkar of the four chakkar final, free for all because of the foul free play.
Ghulam and Ghulam, a common voice in the rank of the hundreds and thousands of spectators enjoyed the final. Niamat, Ibrar Khan and Hashim were the other scorer who completed a tennis score margin victory for Gilgit against disjointed Chitral team.
Chitral did some resistance when Shehzada Sikander reduced the margin in the second chakkar.
He scored his second goal in the second chakkar to make the tally 7-2 and later on scoring two more goals in the fourth chakkar to reduce the margin at 7-4.
The Shandur Pass, which is one of the most peaceful and serene areas of the country, is situated near the border of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a distance of 147 km from Chitral and 212 km from Gilgit.
The polo festival is held on the “Roof of the World” about 12,500 feet above sea level, where the Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram ranges meet.
Speaking on this occasion, he said, the problem being confronting to the people of the area would be addressed on priority.
He said all the demand and problems related to the people of the area would be conveying to the Prime Minister for its early solutions.
He said skipping the tournament is not a solution as last year the Gilgit team did not turn up.
He emphasized the need for showing sportsmanship so that the game would bepromoted on more viable way.
He said the world famous polo attracted great crowd besides local and foreign tourists and youth from all across Pakistan.
In his speech Provincial Minister for Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Aqil Shah promised to expedite work the ongoing project of providing grounds facilities to the people of Chitral. He said all resources would be utilized to give equal opportunity to the youth of the area to come forward and show their skills at national and international levels.
Along with polo matches, a festival like atmosphere developed with demonstration of paragliding, fire work and cultural show, setting up stalls of handicraft of Chitral, Swat and food stalls for the visitors’ setup.
A special entertainment area with the name of joy and wonder lands was also there for the children. The representatives of the Chitral Scouts assured full security measures to the event.
At the end, the chief guest Syed Medi Shah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, gave away trophies and cash prizes.
A trophy and Rs. 0.5 million was awarded to Gilgit team while a runner-up trophy Rs. 75000 to Chitral team. A total of 12 teams took part in the event this year organized by Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the collaboration of DCO Chitral.