The winning teams of the first edition of the Balmasan Championship were honoured Saturday at Katara - Cultural Village by general manager Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor al-Thani and the Social and Sports Contribution Fund (Daam) executive director Abdulrahman bin Abdulatif al-Mannai.The return of the participating dhows, fishermen and sailors and the concluding ceremony took place on Katara Beach in the presence of a large number of the public and the members of the families of the participants. Balmasan Championship featured the first 15 winning teams at the 10th edition of Senyar Festival.Al Zubarah team won first place with 450kg of fish caught, and captain Nasser Khalifa al-Melhim, received a prize of QR300,000. Umm Al-Houl team secured the second place, with captain Khalid Hamad al-Mannai, receiving a prize of QR200,000. Al-Sardal team came third, and captain, Jassim Ahmed Abdullah al-Mohamed, received a prize of QR100,000. Umm Al-Houl team also won the prize for the largest fish caught, weighing 21 kg, and captain, Khalid Hamad al-Mannai, received a prize of QR 50,000.Dr al-Sulaiti pointed out that Katara has been keen to provide all the facilities and arrangements for success and excellence of the championship. He also congratulated all the participants and welcomed their safe return after such a heritage journey. He noted that the aim of the championship is not catching fish but rather reviving the marine heritage of the country and preserve its original identity while enhancing the related values at the young generations.Jihad al-Jaidah, member of the championship's organising committee and head of the judging committee, stressed that Senyar Festival with all its various activities and events has become an annual marine phenomenal event in Qatar and the GCC region, which enables the younger generations to relive the deeply rooted marine history of the country with its full details of challenge, entertainment and excitement.
May 18, 2024 | 09:28 PM