The Sport of Kings(Polo Game) بادشاہوں کا کھیل پولو

     

  'POLO' (freestyle )

Polo game is played on horseback between two teams of six players each who use mallets with long, flexible handle to drive a wooden ball down a grass field and between two opposite goals.

Polo is a traditional field sport and one of worlds oldest know team sport.The game is played by two opposing teams with the objective of scoring using a long-handled wooden mallet to hit a small hard ball through the opposing team's goals. Each team has six riders and the game usually last seventy minutes "divided into two half"

Polo has been called "THE SPORT OF KINGS", and has been a spectator sport for equestrians and high society, often supported by sponsorships. It is also known as the Royal games . The concept of this game and it's variants back from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD, originated from equestrian game played nomadic Iranian and Turkic people for Persian cavalry units, usually the

Royal guard or other elites. A notable example is Saladin, who is known for being skilled Polo player. It is know popular around the world, with well over 100 member countries in the Federation of International Polo, played professionally in 16 countries, and Pakistan is one of them. And it was an olympic sport from 1990 to 1936.

Freestyle Polo is being played in the northern areas of Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan in the mid of summer season a huge crowd come to watch the game and for support there teams. In the beginning of July the inter district tournament starts in Skardu polo ground( Maqpon Polo Ground ) and all the district of Gilgit and Baltistan participate in this tournament. And Shandur Polo Ground is also world famous Ground in the world due to high altitude it is above 26000 ft from the sea level.

Safety equipment includes protective  helmet with chinstrap worn at all time by the players. A faceguard is commonly integral with a helmet.

Polo boots and knee guards are mandatory during official play, and boots are recommend for all play everywhere. And elbow pads and gum shield also recommend in some countries. A shirt or jerseys are required that distinguish between the player's team, and it is not black and white stripes like and empire shirt.

White polo pant or trousers worn during official play. Polo gloves are commonly worn to protect from working reins and mallet.