It's ice, ice baby in Shandur

Ice hockey, curling, and skating are winter sports often seen as pipe dreams for most Pakistanis, but locals of Shandur and surrounding areas of Choitral need not feel left out any longer.

For the first time in the history of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, winter or 'ice sports' have been started in the Harchin area of Upper Chitral.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan, Upper Chitral district administration, and Chitral Scouts, is promoting winter sports.

Under the supervision of the authority, the final competitions of the Shandur Ice Sports tournament will be held on Shandur Top.

Ice hockey, curling, and speed skating have been included in the competitions. The finals for these tournaments will be held on December 28 atop the now-frozen Shandur Lake.

Men and women competitors will be seen in action at the world's highest polo ground, Shandur Top, at 12,800 feet above sea level.

Training sessions for the event have started in Harchin, Upper Chitral. More than 100 boys and girls will participate in the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge competitions.

Athletes from Gabor Garam Chashma, Bonni, Madaqalisht, Parwak, Mastuj, Yarkhunlasht, Harchin, and Kalash are taking in the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge competitions.

In the first phase, competitions have started in Harchin, Upper Chitral. More than 40 women are part of the competition.

Equipment for the event is being provided by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority.