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Arab News
a day ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Pakistan's Shandur Polo Festival kicks off at world's highest ground, draws global tourists
PESHAWAR: Pakistan's annual Shandur Polo Festival began Friday at an altitude of 12,000 feet in the country's mountainous north, with officials calling it a celebration of culture, sportsmanship and peace that draws tourists from around the world. Held each year at the Shandur Pass in Upper Chitral, the three-day festival features traditional freestyle polo matches between teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, alongside folk music, camping, paragliding and cultural exhibitions. The event is considered a major tourist attraction and is played on what is often described as the highest polo ground in the world. 'Shandur Polo is one of our most important cultural sports, played at 12,000 feet,' said Syed Fakhar Jahan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, at the opening ceremony, according to an official statement. 'Spectators and tourists from around the world come to witness this unique event,' he added. 'We welcome them all.' The festival sees teams from Gilgit and Chitral compete in fast-paced, no-holds-barred matches played without umpires, a throwback to the region's centuries-old polo traditions. Officials say the event aims to foster unity and harmony between the two regions, which share historical ties and a friendly sporting rivalry. 'Such activities send a message of peace to the world,' the provincial minister said. 'Pakistanis are a people who cherish their cultural heritage, and this festival reflects that spirit.'
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Peshawar to host HBL PSL matches
After a gap of nearly two decades, international cricket is set to return to Peshawar's newly renovated Arbab Niaz Stadium. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that two matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held in Peshawar, marking the revival of cricket activities at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. The last international cricket match between Pakistan and India took place in Peshawar 19 years ago, in 2006. Following the persistent efforts of Peshawar Zalmi and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, the PCB has agreed to host two PSL matches in the city. However, due to the lack of flood lights, both matches will be played during daytime. In addition, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Champions Trophy will arrive in Peshawar on Thursday and will be displayed at the historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium. Earlier, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jahan, announced that construction work on the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar would be completed by February 15. During a visit to the stadium, Jahan shared that the stadium, once completed, would be ready to host Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. He assured that the provincial government would make every effort to bring PSL matches to minister was accompanied by Peshawar Zalmi's Director and former Test cricketer Mohammad Akram, Director General of Sports Abdul Nasir, Director of Arbab Niaz Stadium Saleem Raza, engineers, and contractors. He mentioned that civil work at the stadium would be carried out in double shifts to ensure timely completion by the middle of February. He expressed optimism about hosting PSL matches in Peshawar next year, stating that funding would not be a hurdle in the construction process.
