CHITRAL: In the final of Pre-Shandur Festival Polo Tournament played here on Thursday, Chitral A team defeated Chitral Scouts by four goals to one after a thrilling contest.

In the fifth minute of the first half of the match, Adnan Ahmed scored a goal to give Chitral A team the lead, immediately after which Asghar Hussain alias Body, scored another goal. By the end of the first half, Chitral Scouts scored two goals in a row, ending the opposing team’s lead.

At the start of the second half, Chitral A team scored again to take the lead, but it did not last long as Chitral Scouts soon levelled the scoreboard at 3-3 and scored another goal to take the lead over Chitral A.

Chitral A team soon regained control of the game and scored two goals in quick succession to take the lead, which lasted until the end of the game.

Adnan Ahmed won ‘man of the tournament’ award while Masroor Elahi of Naghar team was given the award of ‘best emerging young player’.

Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Fakhar Jahan, MNA Umar Amin Gandapur and MPA Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir distributed prizes among players. The acting deputy commissioner, Abdul Salam, was also present on the occasion.

In his address, Syed Fakhar Jahan said that polo was very important game for people of Chitral. “It can be gauged from the enthusiasm of the spectators, who remained immersed in emotions until the end of the game. It presents the scene of a battlefield rather than a game,” he added.

He praised both teams that played in the final, saying that both played professionally and technically, but winning and losing were essential part of the game.

The minister said that in view of the importance of the game in Chitral, there was a need to construct polo ground in a dignified manner, for which he would take steps immediately after Eidul Azha and work would be started on the construction of a sports complex in which all sports grounds would be available along with polo and football.

He announced establishment of a riding club in Chitral to promote polo. He said that promoting sports was among the special priorities of government. He also announced to include the tournament in the calendar events to be held regularly every year under the auspices of sports department. He said that Shandur festival would be held with traditional pomp and show.

The chief guest presented a shield to the winning team and also announced a cash prize of Rs200,000 for the winning team and Rs100,000 for the runner-up team.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2025