Featuring falcons, falconry and hunting equipment, the fifth edition of S'hail - Katara International Hunting & Falcons Exhibition started at Katara today morning. The five day festival is held at Al Hikam Square and Hall of the Cultural Village Katara where many falcon enthusiasts thronged on the first day to visit the pavilions while adhering to the Covid-19 precautionary measures.
The exhibition hall has been divided into three zones with the first one for gathering while the second one is for falcons and falconry. The third zone is dedicated for specialised and modified four-wheel drive SUV’s for safari camping.
“S’hail is a popular and ideal venue for falcon enthusiasts to visit, see falcons and buy them along with various products and equipment. Hunters meet here while sharing their experiences and plans. The popularity is getting high and the exhibition has evoked a warm response,” exhibition manager Abdulaziz Al Bohashem al-Sayed told Gulf Times.
He said several dignitaries are expected to visit the exhibition adding that falcon and falconry are part of Qatari life.
While the exhibition will be open from 10am to 10pm on all days, on Friday it will receive visitors from 2pm till 11pm. Considered as one of the largest in the Middle East and North Africa region, the exhibition will be held in accordance with all the Covid-19 precautionary measures instructed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Organisers have said that entry will be allowed to people aged 12 years and above, who are fully vaccinated in order to ensure the health and safety of all.
“We ensure that visitors follow the precautionary measures,” said al-Sayed.
Katara has already launched a mobile app for patrons besides ensuring electronic methods for safe shopping and visit experience. The specialised application also shows the collection of the best types of falcons to be chosen for auctions.
S’hail is supported by a number of companies including Ooredoo as the telecom sponsor, Qatar Insurance Company and The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) in addition to Debor and Zoom as logistical support partners. The exhibition will also see more innovative competitions, programmes and cultural events aimed at preserving heritage and promoting the interest of authentic traditions. These include two competitions for the ‘most attractive pavilion’ for being most aesthetic and innovative in terms of design, and the ‘most beautiful falcon hood’ with its craftsmanship, look and comfort factor carrying valuable prizes. The best pavilion at S’hail will be given a prize of QR 20,000 while there will be three prizes for the beautiful chosen falcon eye hoods of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.
