Riding high

Pakistan is home to two of the most illustrious polo pitches in the world — the oldest royal polo square, the 16th century Gilgit Polo Field, and the highest polo ground in the world, located at Shandur in Chitral. Polo enthusiast Haider Ali speaks with Maria Dowdall Stapleton about the sport with the exclusive reputation and a growing popularity in his homeland.

When did polo become popular in Pakistan?

Polo has been played in Pakistan since the time of the Mughals; it was very popular during colonial times. The game originated in the northern areas of the country, but as time passed, it was introduced to the lower part of the country too.

Do the rules of the game differ from elsewhere in the world?

When Pakistan got approval from the Federation of International Polo (FIP), the Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) was established to promote the game and to implement the game's international rules. The PPA does not govern the game in the Northern areas, however, as they prefer to play a freestyle game that has no rules.

How popular is polo in the country?

In Pakistan, polo is viewed as a family sport that is passed down from one generation to the next. The game is becoming very popular and along with the increase in local players, the number of international players playing in Pakistani clubs has also increased. Although there are a huge number of polo fans, polo does not enjoy the same level of success as it does elsewhere.

Is polo an amateur or a professional sport in Pakistan?

It is an amateur sport. The players do not receive salaries on a regular basis and sponsorships are only offered to players who are members of the national team. In general, the players comprise officers and soldiers from the Armed Forces and other professionals, such as pilots and businessmen. The PPA is working on gaining professional recognition for the sport. To do this, strategies similar to the ones used for cricket will need to be adopted, including the establishment of polo institutes.

Where do players learn the skills to play polo?

The PPA publishes books on polo, which players are encouraged to read to learn the rules. The players then learn the game by practising with coaches in polo clubs. Most players have their own horses and equipment, and some of them even import Australian, English and Arabic horses. It is also possible to hire horses from stables for a fee.

How often do polo matches happen - is there a league that teams compete in?

The season of polo is set according to the climatic conditions, with breaks for summer and winter. When the season begins, practice sessions are arranged for a month and during this time, the teams are decided. Specific club teams do not exist; teams are only created when there is a tournament or an event. Also, there is no organised league. Instead, there are local tournaments and one is an all-country tournament.

The ground at Shandur is said to be the highest polo ground in the world. When was the first match played?

The Shandur ground is 3,738 metres above sea level and lies midway between Chitral and Gilgit. The pitch was first used when the king decided to have a match in the 1920s.

The ground hosts a three-day polo festival in July. What happens at the event?

The first polo tournament was played in 1936 and since then the Shandur Polo Festival has become an annual event. Alongside polo, the people of Northern Pakistan showcase their heritage. Famous cultural dances are performed and the cultural music of ‘Dhol' and ‘Baja' are played. People from all over the country attend the festival, in addition to foreign tourists, making the unique event one of the country's important tourist attractions.