Empowering polo princess: Afaf Khattak’s fearless ride

In a land where cultural barriers often deter young girls from physically demanding sports, 15-year-old Afaf Khattak rides a horse fearlessly in the polo field. Despite all the challenges from cultural and societal norms to a lack of resources and funding, she is determined to make her name in the field.

According to Britannia, polo is a game of Central Asian origin first played in Iran. It dates back to the 6th century BCE and at first, it was a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops.

Speaking from the historic Rawalpindi Polo Ground, she expresses her devotion to the game, emphasising its symbiotic bond between horse and rider. As she gears up for the Chief of Army Staff Polo Cup next month, Afaf urges the government to foster a culture of encouragement for young girls aspiring to follow her path. Under the tutelage of her father, Colonel Masoodur Rehman Khattak, she has the spirit of resilience and determination.

Beyond its rich history, polo in Pakistan resonates with legends of emperors and warriors. From the Mughal courts to the heights of Shandur, Gilgit Baltistan, where the sport reaches its peak, polo has a tradition of organising competitions.

Mughal emperor Qutbuddin Aibak died in 1210 after falling from his horse while playing polo. A similar game was played in Afghanistan for a long time. Gradually, it became a popular sport in Asia. An interesting fact about the Mughal ruler Aurangzaib Alamgir is that he used to select his military commanders from polo fields and it was these commanders with whom he ruled the subcontinent for a long time.

Apparently, this game is called running away with the ball on a horse, but actually, it is to understand the moves of the opponent and decide the strategy to defeat them. Two teams on the field try to score goals against each other. Each team consists of four horsemen. The position of these players is in order of numbers. Rawalpindi Polo Ground is historically the oldest polo ground in the world.

The biggest polo matches are organised in Shandur, Gilgit Baltistan which is known worldwide because of polo. The highest polo field in the world, it is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level. Athletes from all over the world take part in the competitions.

Initially, a wooden ball was used for polo while now the ball is made up of plastic and it is covered with leather. The length of the stick that a player uses to hit the ball varies depending on the height of the horse. As safety measures, players involved in the sport use a helmet and face guard, horse saddles and pads for the players’ knees. There are two umpires and a referee to enforce the rules and regulations in the game of polo. For polo, expensive and rare horses are imported from different countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2024.