When I read the newspaper in the morning I saw several heart wrenching news from Pakistan. Same goes in the noon while scrolling down the news feed of Twitter. And finally my day ends with some more depressing news on the television. It’s quite hard to keep the day happy with such news. So I have decided to highlight the encouraging and more constructing side of Pakistan globally in a series of blogs to provide something to cheer.
Pakistan is famous for tourism particularly the northern areas. All the provinces have got something special for tourists from all over the world. Among all the beautiful places of Northern Areas of Pakistan, Shandur has significant importance. It is situated 3800 metre (12,500 feet) above the sea level and is famous for having the world’s highest polo ground.
Talking about the history of Shandur where polo was started many decades ago, people from different tribes and villages used to play free style polo. In 1936 it was decided that a polo tournament will be held on an annual basis. As time prevailed, this became a splendid festival. Different celebrities and public figures attend this festival every year. Shandur is situated between Gilgit and Chitral. The way towards Shandur is filled with lush green valleys and lakes of Gupis, Phandar and Gahkuch.
Polo players from different regions of Gilgit and Chitral take part in this three day tournament. Polo is the most favorite game of Gilgit - Baltistan region. All the areas like Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral and Hunza etc have at least one polo ground for local players to enjoy and get groomed in this game. Shandur polo ground has the marvelous location surrounded with mountains and Shandur Lake. Thousands of spectators come to enjoy this game every year.
Players from this region deserve massive appreciation because it’s very hard to play at the height of 12,200 feet. It needs extraordinary stamina and physical fitness to play in reduced amount of oxygen. Hosting a big game is the proof that people of Shandur are very hospitable and peace loving. I must say that everybody must attend Shandur polo festival.