The highest polo field in the world is located in “Shandur,” a little village in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. which is situated 12,500 feet (3800 meters) above sea level. Playing here is really challenging because of the low oxygen content. To play at Shandur elite, players need to possess a high level of physical strength and endurance.
It is frequently referred to as the “Roof of the World.” The Hindukash Mountain Range casts a delightful shadow over the earth. Adventure seekers and polo aficionados will find the polo pitch to be a compelling destination due to its stunning setting. Shandur Polo Ground qualifies as a polo ground by nature. There are little hills where fans may sit and enjoy the game on each of the four corners of the field.
The most played game in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region is polo. People may see glimpses of the beautiful valleys of Gahkuch, Gupis, Phandar, and many more stunning lakes when traveling from Gilgit to Shandur. When traveling from Chitral to Shandur, people may see the Surlasp and Mastuj valleys, which are quite beautiful.
The History of Shandur Polo Ground:
The Shandur Polo Ground’s history begins with the establishment of this field, which held annual traditional polo matches, at a cost of Balti. Colonel Evelyn Hey Cobb, the territory’s political representative, gave Khwaja Mir Aman Shah Asaqal and Niat Qabool Hayat Kakakhail, the Nambardar of Chitral, the order to build a massive polo field at Shandur in 1936.
The remarkable building achievements of the Koh-e-Ghizer people astounded the British authorities, who presented “Niat Qabool Hayat” as a prize. Rather of using it for his own gain, he asked British delegates to keep trout in nearby streams, using the wealth for the benefit of his people.
It had the effect of providing a large amount of trout to the streams around Koh-e-Chitral. Polo was considered the king of games in the past. Small kingdoms, towns, and rival factions from Chitral and Gilgit competed in it.
Shandur Polo Festival: The establishment of the polo field at Shandur commemorated the beginning of the yearly Shandur Polo Festival, which takes place at Shandur Top from July 7 to July 9.
During the event, Shandur’s beautiful polo pitch becomes a city of tents. Over the years, the three-day Shandur Polo Festival has expanded into an enormous mountain polo event.
Shandur Polo Ground is home to the purest form of polo, according to the tournament’s rules. We call this kind of polo freestyle. A thrilling and captivating match between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit is played throughout the festival, attracting the attention of both spectators and participants. The event is held on a naturally occurring grass meadow, which perfectly captures the distinctive and alluring ambience of the festival (Shandur World’s Highest Polo Ground).
There are no rules in this game; that is the sole rule. A multi-day competition between local teams, the Shandur Polo Festival draws spectators who want to see the game as well as performances of traditional dance, folk music, and celebration. The top polo players in the world are found here.
Tourist Attraction:
A great deal of travelers and thrill-seekers travel to this amazing event from various provinces around the nation, mostly from Skardu, Chitral, and Hunza. Because elite players from Gilgit and Chitral compete in the match, it is always a great one. Many thousands of visitors from all around Pakistan and even outside go to the celebration to take in the stunning valley vistas, thrilling matches, and the warmth and customs of the local people. In Shandur, administrators and political figures from Chitral also took pleasure in playing polo.
These days, paragliding, folk music, and traditional dance are held in addition to polo, making it an even more exciting and memorable event for visitors.
Conclusion
The province views polo as more than simply a game; it is a celebration of formal and traditional sports. For generations, this game was played in the area and was seen as a means of fostering harmony and goodwill among the surrounding communities (Shandur World’s Highest Polo Ground).
Professional players travel to Shandur to test their mettle on the rugged terrain, despite the very high altitude and exceptionally harsh weather conditions.
The Shandur Polo Ground today is proof of the exhilarating sport’s ongoing appeal and cultural significance in the area.
