Leh, September 27, 2026: As part of the ongoing Ladakh Festival 2026, a men’s horse polo exhibition match was held at the historic Shagaran Polo Ground in Chuchot, Leh, on the second day of the three-day festival. Indus Polo Club emerged victorious, defeating the Animal Husbandry Department team 5–2 in a spirited contest that drew enthusiastic spectators, including local residents, tourists and foreign visitors.
The match commenced with Dr Samiullah of the Animal Husbandry Department throwing the ball to mark the start of play. Both teams displayed their horsemanship, sporting skills and competitive spirit throughout the match, which was played in two 20-minute halves, with a 10-minute interval. Indus Polo Club players wore blue jerseys, while the Animal Husbandry Department team wore yellow and white.
Ziyafat Ali officiated as the referee. The exhibition showcased the traditional game of horse polo, an integral part of Ladakh’s sporting and cultural heritage, and provided visitors with an opportunity to experience the region’s longstanding equestrian traditions.
The match added to the sporting and cultural celebrations of the Ladakh Festival, highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting traditional horse polo while introducing the region’s distinctive sporting heritage to a wider audience.
