CHITRAL: The local polo players’ only organisation, Polo Association Chitral, has declared its intention to boycott the ongoing polo competition at Chitral Polo ground, claiming that the event’s management completely disregarded it before holding the event.

Sher Afganul Mulk, Shiekh Farooq Iqbal, Tanzeelur Rehman, Sher Nadeem, Owais Ibrahim, and chief polo coach Aftab Alam, who hold the association’s office, stated that the polo competition had become a source of conflict due to the boycott of civilian polo players.

They claimed that only five teams competed in the tournament as a result of their boycott, and that their decision was based on a lack of cooperation and communication with the local polo association, which normally regulated the sport in the area.

According to them, the civilian polo players also made a number of complaints, such as the need for a full-time caretaker to maintain the field, a working watering system to preserve the field’s quality and stop it from deteriorating, and adequate maintenance of the polo field to guarantee safe and equitable playing conditions.

“In Chitral, polo is more than just a sport. Communities are bound together by a shared cultural and historical heritage. This rich legacy could be harmed by the nonparticipation of locals. To maintain inclusivity and protect Chitral’s beloved polo history, the district government and other authorities must now act quickly to rectify these issues,” they reaffirmed.

When asked for his opinion, Lower Chitral DC Mohsin Iqbal urged that a formal invitation letter was sent to them about the event.

He announced that the event’s final match would take place under floodlights, which was a completely novel experience for locals and would allow the polo players to continue practicing at night.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2024