Marmi 2023 sees more qualifiers as competition enters second day

The activities and competitions of the 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) continued Monday at Sbkhat Marmi at the Sealine Area with more qualifiers as the competitions grew stronger.The festival, organised by Al Qannas Qatari Society under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani until January 28, has drawn more local, regional and international attention as one of the major festivals in its category, pioneered by Qatar to maintain and develop the heritage and traditional sport.The competitions Monday resulted in the qualification of five falconers in the Haddad Al Tahadi category (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain standards). The excitement and enthusiasm of the falconers and spectators soared higher with the falcons pursuing their prey of homing pigeons in the skies of the Sealine Area. Accordingly, the total number of qualifiers for the first two days of the festival became eight with each of them winning a prize of QR100,000. Eventually, they will compete in the final of this category which offers two Lexus vehicles as prizes.Both the participating falcons and homing pigeons used in these competitions have certain superb qualities, undergo special training and given custom nutrition. The homing pigeons have to be trained for at least one hour in the morning in addition to a minimum of half an hour in the evening time with the duration and distance of flying increasing as the birds become stronger.Ali Sultan Nasser al-Humaidi, head of Haddad Al Tahadi Committee, stressed that the second day saw very powerful performances among the falcons and the pigeons even though the start of the competitions was delayed due to strong winds. He expected that the competitions will go to a higher level of excitement and performance as the falconers have prepared their birds very well.However, Al Tala'a (release of the falcons to hunt) Committee has decided to postpone the competitions scheduled Monday due to the low horizontal vision and strong winds.Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Ali, head of Al Tala'a Committee, said that the delayed contests will be carried out later according to the suitability of the weather conditions and the overall schedule of the tournament. The competitors will be informed about the new schedule well in advance in order to give them enough time to attend. He also noted that continuous training enhances the bond and co-ordination between the falcon and its owner and make the bird more responsive.