Ice tourney ends at dizzying heights

Atop what can be described as one of the world's highest playgrounds, teams went at it hammer and tong for the Shandur Ice Sports tournament final .

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tourism, Culture, Archaeology, and Museums Adviser Chief Minister Zahid Chan Zeb stated that for the first time in history, the final match of the Shandur Ice Sports Hockey was made possible at Shandur Top despite the harsh weather.

He also ensured the inclusion of the Gilgit-Baltistan team. Congratulating the players and organisers of both teams, he remarked that history has been made at the world's highest ground.

This event will not only be held annually but winter tourism activities at Shandur Top will also be promoted so tourists can visit during the cold season.

He expressed these thoughts during the successful conclusion of the Shandur Ice Hockey final match. According to details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority, Winter Sports Federation, Upper Chitral District Administration, and Chitral Scouts jointly organised the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge.

The final ice hockey match was played on the frozen lake at Shandur Top between teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.

K-P Director General Culture and Tourism Authority Tashfeen Haider was the chief guest on the occasion.

He was accompanied by Upper Chitral Deputy Commissioner Haseeb Khalil, Finance Tourism Authority Director of Administration Umar Arshad Khan, Winter Sports Federation Vice President Shahid Nadeem, Shahid Ali Yeftali, officials of Chitral Scouts, and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with other notable personalities.

At halftime, the match was tied 2-2 between the teams. The winner was decided through penalty strokes, where the G-B team scored two goals while Chitral's team managed to score one.

During the closing ceremony, the chief guest, Tourism Authority DG Tashfeen Haider distributed prizes among the players.

In the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge competitions, 119 players from Lower Chitral and Upper Chitral participated in events such as ice hockey, curling, and speed skating, including 46 women competitors.

Haider noted that for the first time in history, ice hockey competitions were successfully held on the frozen lake at Shandur Top.

The large participation of players from Chitral and the arrival of the Gilgit-Baltistan team at Shandur Top is a positive development. Efforts will be made to ensure the continuation of these competitions at Shandur Top next year as well.