CHITRAL: The three-day Shandur polo festival began in the highest polo ground of the world here on Saturday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister retired Justice Dost Mohammad Khan inaugurated the festival by throwing the ball into the ground and making the launch announcement.

He said the festival had acclaimed international fame attracting thousands of tourists.

The chief minister Chitral and GB had rich cultural heritage and the festival was an ideal opportunity to showcase it to the world and thus, promoting local tourism.

He said concerted efforts were required to organise the event in a befitting manner so that it could attract more and more tourists and promote the local culture.

The chief minister announced Rs1 million, Rs0.7 million and Rs0.5 million for the first, second and third-place winners, respectively, on behalf of the provincial government.

He later gave away prizes to the players of Laspur team of Chitral for winning the inaugural match against Ghizar team of Gilgit-Baltistan.

In total, three matches were played in the day with Chitral’s teams winning them all against GB’s. Paragliding and cultural shows were part of the inaugural ceremony.

Thousands of tourists and Chitral and GB residents have showed up to watch Shandur festival. Also, tent villages have been put up in the area.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2018