Staff Correspondent
Chitral, June 2, 2026: The district administration of Lower Chitral has officially announced the selection of five polo teams for participation in the upcoming Shandur Polo Festival 2026.
Polo teams finalized for Shandur festival 2025
According to an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Lower Chitral, the teams were selected on the recommendations of a selection committee comprising representatives of the Polo Association Chitral, Chief Polo Coach, Chitral Scouts, Chitral Police and the district administration.
The decision was taken during a meeting held at the office of the Deputy Commissioner Lower Chitral on June 1, 2026.
Chitral teams finalized for Shandur polo festival 2024
The selected teams include Chitral-A, Chitral-B, Chitral-C, Chitral-D and the Subdivision Mastuj team.
Chitral-A will be led by Israr Wali (captain), with players Shehzad Ahmad Shajee, Izhar Ali Khan, Amir Hamza, Nasir Ullah, Ziaur Rehman, Ilyas Ahmad and Arbab Quli Khan.
Five Chitral teams announced for Shandur polo tournament 2023
Chitral-B captain Asghar Hussain will be joined by Maqsood Ur Rehman, Alhaj Ur Rehman, Irfan Ali Khan, Asif Ur Rehman, Azhar Sohail, Imran Ur Rehman, Fawad Raza and Masroor Ahmad Baig.
Chitral-C will be captained by Shamim Ahmad, with team members Sohail Ahmad, Imad Uddin, Ihtisham Uddin, Mushtaq Ur Rehman, Shoaib Raza, Dildar Ahmad and Abdul Niaz.
Chitral-D captain Maqsood Ali Shah Baloch will lead Shahzada Shuja Riaz Uddin, Mubashir Alam, Nadim Ul Mulk, Shahid Ur Rehman, Masroor Elahi, Zakir Hussain and Taimoor.
From Subdivision Mastuj, Raja Fazal Khaliq (captain) will be accompanied by Sikander Wali, Ajmal Qubad, Tanvir Ahmad, Sakib Sarwar, Baber (Reshune), Israr Alam and Sadil Khan.
The notification states that all listed members will remain active playing members and must stay available for participation during the Shandur Polo Festival 2026.
Dispute resolved, polo players finalized for Shandur
The annual Shandur Polo Festival, held at the world’s highest polo ground, attracts thousands of spectators from across Pakistan and abroad.
The event features traditional freestyle polo matches between teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan and is considered one of the country’s most celebrated cultural and sporting festivals.
The final of the Shandur polo festival will be played between the Chitral A and Gilgit A teams.