The Gilgit-Baltistan team has won the final of the Shandur Polo Festival after a closely fought and high-scoring match, defeating Chitral by 6 goals to 5, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.
The final match, played at the world-famous Shandur Polo Ground, saw intense competition from both sides.
At the end of the first half, Chitral led with 5 goals, while Gilgit-Baltistan had scored 4, keeping the match tightly balanced.
However, in the second half, Gilgit-Baltistan made a strong comeback to turn the game around and secure a dramatic 6–5 victory.
With this win, Chitral’s long-standing dominance at the festival came to an end after 12 years.
Players from Gilgit-Baltistan celebrated enthusiastically on the ground after the final whistle, marking a historic moment for the team.
The closing ceremony was attended by Corps Commander XI Corps Lieutenant General Umar Ahmad Bukhari, who inaugurated the final match by throwing the ball into play.
The festival was organized with the cooperation of the Pakistan Army, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Chitral Scouts, and district administration.
Thousands of local and international tourists attended the event, enjoying the traditional sport and the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Shandur plateau.