The three-day annual mega Shandur Polo Festival will kick off at the world’s highest polo ground at Shandur Pass in Chitral from July 29.
The decision to give the final touches to the arrangements for the festival was taken on Thursday at a meeting held with Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Mohammad Tariq in the chair.
Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Senior General Manager Syed Hayat Ali Shah, General Manager (Admin & Properties) Sajjad Hameed, Director Culture Ajmal Khan, Tourist Information Centres (TICs) General Manager Muhammad Ali Syed and other officials and stakeholders attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Tariq said that the Shandur Polo Festival will be organised in a befitting manner to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the scenic region and traditional game in large number this year.
He said that District Government Chitral, Police, Pak Army and other institutions would extend full support to hold the gala peacefully.
He said that the concerned departments had been issued directives for taking steps for the renovation of polo ground, water supply, transport, holding meetings with stakeholders and provision of other facilities to the participating teams, fans and tourists.
The official said that the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral teams would participate in the mega annual event. He said that the festival would provide an opportunity of great thrill and enjoyment to the tourists, spectators and fans of the polo game.
The secretary said the event would also send a positive message to the outer world that peace and tranquillity had been restored in the region.
“This year the festival would be unique as the local artisans and skilled entrepreneurs would be provided with the opportunity to showcase their products besides polo game, food stalls, traditional music and dances and adventurous activities in the gala,” he added.
He said that rafting in the Shandur Lake, paragliding, archery and kite flying would be other features of the event to attract domestic and foreign tourists in great numbers. In addition to setting up camping village, stalls would be established to highlight and promote the artworks of the Chitral and Gilgit local artists and skilled people.
The provincial government through finance department provides funds to TCKP for arrangements for the event, which are released to the district administration Chitral.
The role of TCKP is that of a catalyst for promoting the festival through publicity campaign and it also establishes a tented village, tourism information centres and stalls during the event. It also provides boarding and lodging facilities for both foreign and domestic tourists.
As Chitral is the most peaceful region, it attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists annually, especially during the Shandur and Kalash festivals.
This year, the number of foreign and domestic tourists will be great as compared to the previous years as peace has been restored in the province and the condition of acquiring no objection certificate (NOC) for the international visitors and tourists had already been withdrawn.
The foreign tourists can now visit the event and other scenic spots in any part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if they just have a tourist visa.
