The Shandur Polo Festival 2025 spectacularly concluded on Sunday, since Chitral defeated Gilgit 9–7 in the final match played in the world’s highest pole field before a multitude of thousands.
The final took place before thousands of spectators in Shandur Pass often referred as the “roof of the world”, at an altitude of 12,000 feet, attracting local crowds and foreign tourists equally.
This year, Gilgit’s team showed a remarkably improved performance compared to the previous editions. However, the Chitral team played a solid defensive game, successfully blocking multiple goal attempts and maintaining its advantage to ensure victory.
Celebrated from June 20 to 22, the festival was organized with the joint support of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, the Gilgit-Baltistan government, the Pakistan army and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa border body (North).
Read: The Shandur Pole Festival begins in Highlands
The closing ceremony of the final day attended Lieutenant General Umar Ahmad Bukhari, the body commander Peshawar, who participated as the main guest.
Thousands attended the grand finale, including many international visitors. According to the tradition, the SSG ‘Shahbaz’ team of Elite of the Pakistan army executed a spectacular exhibition of free fall parachutes, while the Army Physical Training School, Kakul, impressed with a manifestation of vibrant paraglidia about the scenic landscape.
In addition to the festivities, a traditional Kalasha dance was held, to delight the crowd. The cultural showcase received enthusiastic applause and reflected the diverse inheritance of the region.
During the ceremony, the main guest presented awards and honors to the players of both teams. In his speech, Lieutenant General Bukhari thanked all spectators, organizers and especially foreign tourists for attending and supporting the festival.
He also praised the civil administration, security forces and local authorities to guarantee the success and security of the event.
