What is your idea of a regular polo game?
Probably perfectly maintained green field, elegant horses along with properly equipped riders and public consisting of lords, counts etc.
In certain places it definitely goes that way, but that’s not the situation in all 16 countries where polo is considered to be an official sport.
China, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan they all claim to be the birthplace of polo.
But let’s focus on Pakistan. If you happen to roam the streets of Gilgit in spring or fall and if you feel like digging deeper into local’s ways of entertainment, buy yourself a ticket for a polo game and head directly to the pitch. Seating there is up to you. There are VIP sits on first row, but have in mind that they come with the extra risk of being run over by a horse.
Once the game begins the horses are raced into furious battle. Polo sticks are used to hit both opponents and the ball. Players would literally do anything to drive the ball forward. They regularly fall over their horses when they collide with an opponent. It’s an authentic, tense and dusty battle, not always appealing to the weak hearted, but for sure worth seeing as Gilgit’s locals are considered to be some of the fiercest and finest Polo players.
If you wish to explorer more of what Pakistan has to offer, check our tour:
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