I have just returned from a fantastic few days trekking in Chitral, a trip that culminated with a day at the Shandur Polo Festival. The event is a huge occasion for the people of Chitral and Gilgit who gather at the world’s highest polo field – at some 12,000ft – to cheer on their team in an annual contest of horsemanship and bravery to decide local bragging rights.
It is a massive event. As well as the locals, there were hundreds of visitors from Karachi and Lahore, along with senior military men, politicians and a lone diplomat (the Argentinian ambassador).
Anyway, far be it from me to suggest anything untoward happening to donations meant to help displaced persons, so let’s just say that I hope the refugees who pitched their tents in a secluded hollow not far from the polo pitch enjoyed the tournament as much as I did.
Bet that doesn’t happen at Hurlingham.
