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| Shandur Polo |
“We have proposed August 20, 21
and 22 to K-P,” said Ghizer Deputy Commissioner Sibtain Ahmed on Friday. We
hope the event takes place on the proposed dates, he added.
The K-P
government had earlier postponed the festival on G-B’s request because a main
road in Sosat had submerged after rains in June. The festival was initially
scheduled from July 3 to 5.
The
submersion not only suspended traffic between G-B and Chitral, but also
stranded more than 20,000 people in the valley for more than a month. In July
last year, a massive landslide swept away a portion of the same road, stranding
people returning from the Shandur polo tournament. They were stuck for days
until the government finally repaired the road.
“The
road is currently open for light vehicles, but it will be fully repaired before
the tournament starts,” Ahmed said.
Following
the restoration of traffic, the stranded villagers were also delivered food and
medicine as compensation for the shortage that occurred during the blockage.
Many
people set camp at the polo ground. The festival also includes folk music and
dances and attracts nearly 10,000 people every year, including celebrities and
public figures.
Teams
from G-B and Chitral have played polo since the early 20th century in Shandur
Top, the highest polo ground in the world, which lies at 3,700 meters.
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