SHANDUR (Chitral), July 9: The Gilgit-Baltistan team clinched the Shandur Polo trophy by defeating Chitral team 7-4 in the final match of the festival here on Saturday.

Both the teams had scored three goals each by end of the hard-fought first half.

Chitral got an edge early on in the second half by scoring their fourth goal, but their lead proved short-lived, as Gilgit-Baltistan changed its strategy when only 15 minutes were left.

In an aggressive display of attacking game and defence, the Gilgit-Baltistan not only levelled the score, but went on to score three more goals to defeat Chitral 7-4. The players of Chitral forward line wasted several goal scoring chances after losing their nerves.

The winner GB team comprised Ghulam Abbas (captain), Altaf, Aslam Khan, Abdul Malik, Zulfiqar and Safdar Ali, while Chitral team included Shahzada Sikandar (captain), Mohammad Hussain, Shahzad Ahmed, Izhar Ali, Raza Khan and Israr Wali.

Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah gave away the trophy and prizes to the players. Safdar Ali of GB team was adjudged player of the tournament and Shahzada Sikandar of Chitral team grabbed man of the match title.

TOURISM PROMOTION: On this occasion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports, Tourism and Culture Syed Aqil Shah announced a number of projects for the promotion of tourism and sports in Chitral district.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of Shandur Polo Festival on Saturday, he said that tourism resorts would be established in Golen Gole, Bumburate and Garam Chashma.