Chitral Winds Eagle Win Polo Tournament in Skardu

GILGIT: Chitral Winds Eagle Team won the trophy of the 6th Ali Sher Khan Anchan Polo Tournament after defeating Chitral-Booni HQ in the freestyle polo final at Maqpoon Ground in Skardu.

The tournament featured 20 teams, including 18 sides from Gilgit-Baltistan. The final was contested by two teams from Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Thousands of spectators, including tourists from different parts of Pakistan and abroad, gathered at the polo ground to watch the final.

Chitral Winds Eagle player Mohammad Sohail said his team enjoyed playing the final in Skardu and appreciated the support from local spectators. He also praised the organisers for providing facilities to the participating teams.

Mohammad Illyas of the Chitral-Booni team also acknowledged the efforts of the organisers and thanked the spectators and supporters for their encouragement.

Polo enthusiast Ali Abbas said the absence of a Gilgit-Baltistan team from the final was disappointing for local fans, but added that the performances of both Chitral teams attracted considerable support from the crowd.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was also present at the final. He noted that international polo follows specific rules, while freestyle polo has its own distinct character and is closely associated with the region.

The tournament also featured tug-of-war competitions involving local participants.

The event was organised by the Skardu district administration in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Polo Association and the tourism department. The tournament concluded with a trophy and prize distribution ceremony