BANDIPORA, JUNE 27: The Indian Army on Saturday organised a traditional horse polo event in Baktoor village along the Line of Control (LoC), reviving a sport that remained absent from the Gurez Valley for nearly five decades.
An official told Kashmir Convener the event drew a large turnout of local residents, young players and polo enthusiasts, many of whom termed it the return of an integral part of the region’s cultural fabric.
For the older generation, it was a trip down memory lane, for the youth, a first-hand experience of a tradition their grandparents often spoke about.
Bashir Ahmad Dar, 45, a local farmer whose son participated in the event, expressed hope for the future. “My boy has only seen polo on television. Today, he rode a horse and played on this ground. This is a dream for our family. We are grateful to the Army for giving our children something to be proud of,” he said.
Young rider Imran Rashid, 19, who took part in the match, said, “I have heard stories from my grandfather about how the entire village used to gather for polo. Today, I felt that same energy. We want this to happen every month, not just once a year. We are ready to learn and work hard.”
Mohammad Abdullah Shah, 72, a retired school teacher who watched the match with teary eyes, said: “I was 22 the last time I saw a polo match here. My father used to play. I thought I would never see this again. Today, I feel like my childhood has come back to me.”
Women, too, turned out in large numbers to witness the spectacle. Fatima Begum, 50, a homemaker, said: “We used to hear about polo from our elders, but never saw it. Today, we brought our daughters along so they know what their ancestors enjoyed. This is our identity, and we cannot let it die.”
Horse polo was once the heartbeat of Gurez’s sporting life, but faded over the years due to lack of organised events and changing socio-political dynamics. Saturday’s revival, officials said, was an attempt to bring that heartbeat back.
“These initiatives are aimed at preserving traditional sporting culture, encouraging youth to stay connected to their roots, and building stronger community bonds in this remote border area,” an Army official said.
Locals, too, saw the event as more than just a game. “For years, we only heard stories. Today, we saw it with our own eyes,” said one resident. Many expressed hope that the Army’s effort would now translate into a regular feature, ensuring the sport finds its place once again in Gurez’s cultural calendar.
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