Polo is significant part of Chitrali culture. Most of the teams are managed by individuals and clubs, a well-kept team and horses are with Chitral Scouts, during my posting Police had players employed, who would keep horses for the game, first of all District Championship starts, for which luring and borrowing of good players also kicks off, One day I received the Commandment Col Mukhtar Shah sahib, in my office without any prior information which is a routine, Commandant had come to request me for NOT to borrow, a famous Polo player Maqbool. I had to accede to the Commandant request, although DSP Saeed was dismayed.
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After the District Championship, which Scouts had won, we were invited by the Gilgit Administration for arrangements of Shandour Polo Festival.
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Arbab Shezad DC, myself Sahibazaya Anis AC, Maj Haroon and Shezada Skinadar Mulk, flew to Gilgit by AKRSP, helicopter, thanks to Masood ul Mulk, We were scheduled to return the next day.I had informed the DIG Malakand about the visit ,but other officers had not;\
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having a good day, meeting and lunch by Gilgit Administration than by headed Inyatullah Khan Lala, the next morning we flew to Chitral, but near Shandour ,the pilot informed us that bad weather is not permitting the Chopper, to cross over to Chitral, the other day again we had to fly back due bad weather.
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Now the charm of visit was depreciating, and worry of Chitral was on rise, than the DC, decided that if we can not fly in the next attempt, we would travel by road to Chitral.
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It was quite awesome and full of mirth and happiness that our big bird , a Bell Chopper crossed over to the Chitral side, it was more than winning an final at the forthcoming Shandour.
(to be continued )
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Khalid Masood ex SP/DPO Chitral.
