Shandur Polo Festival 2025

The Shandur Polo Festival 2025 came to a spectacular close as Team Chitral prevailed over Gilgit-Baltistan in a fiercely contested final. The three-day festival, held from June 20 to 23, drew thousands of local and international spectators to Shandur Pass and showcased a powerful blend of traditional sport, cultural performances, and regional unity. Organized jointly by the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the event kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring paragliding displays, military marching bands, and folk music. On the first day, teams from Laspur, Yasin, and Laspur B claimed victories in their respective matches against Ghizer, Mastuj, and Ghizer B. On the second day, Team Gilgit B dominated Team Chitral B with a decisive 9–1 win. Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan attended as chief guest, accompanied by GB Tourism Minister Ghulam Muhammad and Secretary Tourism Zameer Abbas, who lauded the festival’s role in promoting tourism and interregional harmony. The highly anticipated final between Team Chitral A and Gilgit A lived up to expectations. After ending 7–7 in regular time, Chitral’s Izhar Ali Khan scored twice in extra time, while Gilgit managed just one goal, handing Chitral a hard-fought 9–8 victory. Izhar was named Man of the Match for his four-goal performance. The match ended dramatically with both teams down to three players due to horse injuries. Chitral has now maintained its winning streak since 2011. The closing ceremony was graced by Corps Commander 11 Corps Peshawar, Lt. Gen. Umar Ahmed Bukhari, who praised the century-old legacy of the festival and its role in strengthening ties between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. With improved infrastructure, tight security, and extensive media coverage, the Shandur Polo Festival 2025 not only celebrated sport but also significantly boosted local tourism and cultural pride.