ISLAMABAD: Shandur Lake – the world’s highest ice-hockey ground – in Pakistan’s north hosted an ice hockey match on Saturday where Gilgit-Baltistan defeated Chitral 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
Teams clashed fiercely in thrilling contests during the tournament at one of the world’s highest playgrounds.
The final match was played on the frozen lake at an altitude of over 12,000 feet.
Shandur Ice Sports Challenge Competitions
At halftime, the encounter was tied 2-2 between the two sides. The winner was decided through penalty strokes, where the Gilgit-Baltistan team scored two goals while Chitral’s team managed to score one.
In the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge competitions, around 119 players from Lower Chitral and Upper Chitral took part in events such as ice hockey, curling, and speed skating, including 46 women competitors.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority, Winter Sports Federation, Upper Chitral District Administration, and Chitral Scouts jointly organised the event to promote tourism in the region.
Talking to the media, K-P Director General Culture and Tourism Authority Tashfeen Haider said that for the first time in history, ice hockey competitions were successfully played on the frozen lake at Shandur Top.
“A large number of locals took part in the ice hockey event,” said Tashfeen Haider. “The match at Shandur Lake shows the region’s potential to host winter sports.”
He said that more efforts will be made to ensure the continuation of these games at Shandur Top next year.
The event will not only be organised annually but winter tourism activities at Shandur Top will also be promoted so tourists can visit during the cold season.
