TO amplify the excitement of the recent Horse and Cattle Show held at the Fortress Stadium in Lahore, polo teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) had been invited to play freestyle polo. However, what was meant to be a thrilling spectacle quickly turned into a tragedy, as polo ponies began collapsing one after another, triggering serious concerns.

The incident occurred immediately after a friendly match between Chitral A and the Karakoram Polo Club from GB. Although Chitral A emerged victorious, their celebrations were cut short when three of their horses collapsed and died in quick succession. Reports indicate that the condition of four other horses remains critical.

What makes this tragedy even more alarming is that not a single horse from the opposing team was affected, making many wonder if the horses had died of natural causes. Such an incident could damage the love for the game in the northern regions, and strain the camar-aderie among the teams. A thorough and transparent investigation must be conducted to uncover the truth behind this disaster and ensure accountability.

Shakil Durrani
Chitral

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025