SPORTS IN PAKISTAN

Polo, which is believed to have originated in Central Asia, and continues to be an important sport there with several large annual competitions. The Shandur Polo Tournament, played at the world's highest pologround every June, is one of the biggest tourist draws to Chitral and Gilgit in Northern Pakistan. The competition was created in the 1920s to promote integration between the various tribes and the British rulers[2]. The Shandur Pass was picked as the location because, at 11,000ft above sea level, it was seen as a ridge between heaven and hell. Key tournaments of the season are the Uprising Day tournament in early November in Gilgit, or the Pakistan Independence Day tournament in Skardu, early August. The Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) organise the sport, and the national side takes part in the Polo World Cup. Polo is played professionally with a number of Argentinean players playing in Pakistan. Notable players include Murad Ismail, Raja Sami Ullah and Hissam Ali Haider.