World | Pakistan
Polo brings joy but fewer tourists to Chitral
Chitral, located at the far end of Pakistan's north, is all set to host the famous Shandur Festival and Polo tournament held at the highest natural playground of the world, 12,500 feet above sea level.
- By Fasihur Rehman Khan, Correspondent
- Published: 22:54 July 5, 2009
Islamabad: Chitral, located at the far end of Pakistan's north, is all set to host the famous Shandur Festival and Polo tournament held at the highest natural playground of the world, 12,500 feet above sea level.
Chitral, with Swat on one side and Afghanistan on the other, and China up in the north, is a very strategic location of the country.
The provincial government has announced it will host the famous free-style mountainous polo tournament from July 7 to 9.
The festivities will continue on the sidelines throughout the week however, with traditional Chitrali dances, music and cuisine on offer.
A new world shapes up at Shandur before the event. Shandur is located on the border of Gilgit and Chitral. Breath-taking views of its beautiful lush green mountains and its pure water lake are popular among tourists.
This year the organisers are expecting fewer foreign tourists, however, due to military operations in the neighbouring Swat area.
The event allows visitors to experience polo in a unique way. This means no rules and regulations, plus traditional music is played throughout each match.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to be the guest of honour on the final day of the tournament.
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