PESHAWAR: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa held a special ceremony in Peshawar to honour the Chitral polo team that emerged victorious at this year\’s iconic Shandur Polo Festival.
This is the first time Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur formally invited and recognized the festival’s winning players in such a manner.
Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority Habibullah Arif addressed the event held at the Authority’s conference room. He affirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting athletes and promoting their welfare.
“Today\’s ceremony is part of our pledge to stand by our players,” he said. “We will take practical steps, keeping our financial constraints in mind, to improve the welfare of athletes who work hard throughout the year for events like Shandur.”
DG Arif also announced that the chief minister has instructed that the provincial government’s helicopter be available for rescue operations in remote areas, underscoring the government\’s focus on public safety.
He said the longstanding tradition of the Shandur Polo Festival, which the provincial government has been organizing for decades, and reiterated its commitment to sustaining and enhancing the event.
Among those attending the ceremony were General Manager Tourism Mohammad Ali Syed, Chitral polo team manager Major Waleed, and team members Izhar Ali, Amir Hamza, Arbab Quli Khan, Nasirullah Khan, Israr Wali Khan, and Ahmad.
Team manager Major Waleed expressed gratitude to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Tourism Authority for their strong support. He noted that hosting the Shandur Festival requires significant collaboration among players, the Tourism Authority, the Pakistan Army, the district administration, and other agencies.
He also stressed the urgent need for infrastructure improvements at Shandur. “Proper water supply to the ground is essential,” he said. “If new grounds cannot be built, the existing ground must at least be upgraded to make it suitable for play.”
Major Waleed called on the government to ensure not only financial assistance but also better facilities, so that players who make personal sacrifices to represent the region can deliver their best performances.