PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Department has announced the schedule for the annual Shandur Polo Festival, commencing from June 11 with vibrant cultural performances, traditional music, and the unmatched spirit of adventure.
According to the KP Culture and Tourism Department, preparations for the high-level sports activity at the high-altitude Shandur top between Chitral of KP and Ghizar of Gilgit Baltistan are in full swing.
Thousands of spectators from across Pakistan, including foreigners, will witness the thrilling Polo matches between rival teams of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.
The KP Tourism Department scheduled the festival commencing from June 11 and would end on June 13 with colourful, vibrant cultural activities.
The authority said apart from cultural performances, traditional music would be performed at the scenic mountainous venue. Nature lovers and spectators would enjoy the historic event moments.
Final preparations are underway at the venue, including installation of fencing around the polo ground and the implementation of other “security measures.” Teams from both sides have been announced, and the horses have already been moved to the world’s highest polo ground at an altitude of 12,000 feet for acclimatisation.
All of this is routine; it happens every year, and there is nothing particularly new about it. Equally familiar is the fact that the Shandur Festival has traditionally remained a VIP-centric event, where ordinary spectators are often treated as children of a lesser god.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism department, thousands of audience are expected to arrive for watching the Shandur Polo Festival, for which preparations are underway in full swing.
Teams from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan traditionally play polo, known for their legendary competition.
Kalash tribe cricketer Saira Jabeen makes history with Pakistan T20 debut
Saira Jabeen, a 25-year-old all-rounder hailing from the Kalash tribe of Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, made her international debut for Pakistan in the opening women’s T20 game against Zimbabwe.
Saira, who is currently enrolled at Conard College in Lahore, has already established herself in local cricket by playing for the Strikers Women’s team. But in her debut international game, she could only score five runs in five deliveries.
Despite not performing well on her debut, her selection for Pakistan has been hailed as a milestone for the Kalash tribe and women’s cricket in Pakistan.
