11/04/2021
Get ready for international Shandur Polo Festival 2021
Shandur Polo Festival 2021bset to return after hiatus
The Shandur Polo Festival will be held from 22nd July 2021 after a year long hiatus
he decision has been made by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakthtunkwa (TCKP). The date of the festival have been revised due to Corona
The free-style polo match is one of the largest festivals in the country and is held since 1936 from 7-9th July on Shandur Top of Ghizer District, Gilgit Baltitstan between the teams of Yasin and Mastuj. The event is held at the highest polo ground in the world and draws polo fans from across the country.
However, the festival was cancelled last year due to Corona.
The event has also run into trouble over political differences over the ownership of the Shandur Pass. In 2010, Gilgit boycotted the festival to protest the decision of the government to hand over the event to Khyber Pakhtunkwa and stayed away till 2014 until they were convinced to return.
The festival also includes folk music, dancing, a camping village set up at the Pass and numerous other activities to enjoy such as trot fishing at nearby lakes and streams, horse riding, mountaineering, hiking and exploring reminiscent of Northern Pakistan culture.
The TCKP has also decided to repair certain infrastructure including six bridges towards Shandur. It was decided to advertise the event with the help of a multinational company, pay horse allowances to polo players and places portable toilets at different areas on the route to Shandur.