CHITRAL, July 10: Chitral-A won the Shandur polo festival for the third consecutive year, beating Gilgit-A by 9-7 in the final played on Wednesday at the highest polo ground of the world.

Gilgit ran over the Chitral goalpost during the first five minutes and scored five goals and sustained the pressure throughout the first half. Raja Zulfiqar and Ghulam Abbas of Gilgit gave a tough time to the opponents.

However, instead of losing nerves, Chitral changed its strategy and interchanged its forward and attack line players. By half time, Chitral managed to score three goals. In the second half, Chitral scored four goals to Gilgit’s two and the score remained levelled 7-7 during the stipulated 50 minutes. The teams were given extra 10 minutes to decide the match.

During the extra time, Chitral scored two goals, winning the match 9-7. Chitral’s Shahzad Ahmed played a decisive role in the victory of his team by scoring four goals.

The Chitral team included Shahzada Sikandar (captain), Azam Khan, Shahzad Ahmed, Raza Khan, Shahbaz and Israr Wali and the Gilgit team comprised Ashraf Gul (captain), Bakhtek, Gulab Khan, Fazal, Raja Zulfizar and Ghulam Abbas. NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti gave away prizes to the players.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the ANP-led provincial coalition government believed in political dialogue and mutual understanding, instead of using force, to restore peace and harmony in the province.

He said progress and prosperity were not possible without peace, adding the province would no more be considered a hub of terrorism and lawlessness.

“We will remove the wrong impression about our province and will establish lasting peace and fraternity,” he said.

He termed Chitral a paradise for tourists and said the government was cognizant of the situation and would soon initiate a mega project to develop infrastructure of the district. He said the government would use all resources and potentials to promote tourism, which affected other sectors of development directly or indirectly. Mr Hoti said that with the completion of the Lowari tunnel project, new avenues of development would open.

He said the project would be completed by the end of the current fiscal year. “Next year I shall come to the Shandur festival by traveling through the Lowari tunnel, instead of the Lowari Pass.”

He said the Shandur festival would be celebrated in a befitting manner next year because it had become a national festival due to its importance. He said the festival reflected the traditional heritage of Chitral and Northern Areas, provided recreation to people on both sides of the Shandur area and gave a boost to the tourism industry.

The chief minister said a cadet college would be established in the district and work on the project would start during the current financial year.

He announced Rs20.20 million for improvement of infrastructure in the District Headquarters Hospital.

He also announced to raise elite police force in the district and also increase the strength of the district police to improve the law and order situation.

On this occasion, Federal Minister for Sports Najmuddin Khan announced Rs100 million for establishing sports stadiums in Chitral and Gilgit.

Provincial ministers Salim Khan and Syed Aqil Shah apprised the chief minister of problems of the people of Chitral. MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohyuddin and District Nazim Maghfirat Shah also spoke on the occasion. The nazim stressed the need for exploiting water resources in the district, saying it could generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

APP adds: The chief minister announced upgradation of the Darosh Girls’ High School and directed construction of a road to the Sanobar district.

On a demand of Minister for Population Saleem Khan Chitrali to declare Mastuage a district, Mr Hoti promised to look into the matter.