Staff Correspondent
Shandur (Chitral), June 13, 2026: Gilgit-Baltistan delivered a historic performance at the Shandur Polo Festival 2026, breaking Chitral’s over a decade long dominance in the prestigious event.
Chitral had remained the unbeaten champion of the tournament since 2014, maintaining a winning streak that made it the most successful side in Shandur’s modern history. However, this year Gilgit-Baltistan changed the narrative in a dramatic final.
In a closely fought contest, both teams were tied 5-5 at the end of regular time, pushing the match into extra time. Gilgit-Baltistan held their nerve in the decisive moments and its star-of-the-day player Zulfiqar Hameed scored the winning goal to seal a 6-5 victory for his side, clinching the title and ending Chitral’s reign.
The chief guest on the occasion was Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Umar Ahmed Bukhari, who inaugurated the final by throwing the ball into the playground and distributed trophies at the end.
The festival was s jointly organized with the support of the Pakistan Army, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Chitral Scouts and the Upper Chitral district administration.
Other prominent attendees included Inspector General FC Major General Rao Imran, Commandant Chitral Scouts Colonel Arslan, Commissioner Malakand Masood Ahmad, Secretary Tourism Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saadat Hassan, Director General KP Tourism Authority Shahid Khan, and Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Muhammad Imran.
Thousands of spectators enjoyed the final match between the arch rivals by visiting the world’s highest polo ground and through live streams by social media users.
Chitral had won the tournament without defeat eight times since 2014, cementing its reputation as a regional powerhouse.
Organizers cancelled the event in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and again in 2024, when the caretaker government in KP cited bad weather.
However, ChitralToday sources claimed the government actually feared political protests during the festival by PTI supporters over the imprisonment of party leader Imran Khan.
In the year 2023, Chitral won the trophy for the 8th time since 2014 while in 2020 and 2021 the event could not be held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Since 1936, the Shandur Polo Festival has brought together the people of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan for a celebration of sport, culture and friendship.
Players compete in freestyle polo, a thrilling and rugged version of the game played at 12,000 feet above sea level, earning Shandur the title of the “Roof of the World.”
Beyond polo, the festival offers folk music, dancing, traditional food, and local crafts, turning the remote plateau into a vibrant cultural hub each summer.