Ten falcons in each of the two categories of Al Da'aw (falcons speed) local championship qualified for the finals Wednesday at the ongoing 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023).
The finals is set for Monday, January 16, with ten falcons each in both categories. The falcon that came first in one category achieved a time of 20 seconds and 9960 parts of a second, while the falcon that topped the other category zoomed in at 19 seconds and 9456 parts of a second.
Thus 50 falcons have qualified for the final of Al Da'aw local championship from which the best five in three different falcon categories will compete for the premier match on January 21.
Fahad al-Assari, head of Al Da'aw Championship Committee, said that the competition has been extremely intense as the time was measured in parts of a second. He said this indicates that this festival is an excellent place for the most speedy and tough falcons.
Five groups of the Saluki dogs competed in the pre-finals of the relevant category. On Thursday, the pre-final round of Al Tala'a (release of the falcons to hunt) competition will be held. The competition of Haddad Al Tahadi (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain standards) is to be held in the afternoon. These were earlier postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The organising committee of Marmi 2023 has announced that the registration for the beauty contest is continuing in three categories for different types of peregrine falcon breeds. The committee has called on the competitors, especially the international participants, to register for this contest, besides registering in Al Da'aw international competitions.
Marmi 2023, organised by Al Qannas Qatari Society at Sabkhat Marmi in the Sealine Area, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, will continue until January 28. The event has drawn more local, regional and international attention as one of the major festivals in its category, pioneered by Qatar to maintain and develop such heritage traditional sport.
