15 entries progress into next round of Al Tala'a competition

The total number of qualifiers for the next round of Al Tala'a (release of falcons to hunt) competitions amounted to 15 falcons at Sbkhat Marmi Saturday.
The organising committee of the 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) decided to postpone the competitions of Haddad Al Tahadi (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain standards) for Sunday, due to the postponement that happened on Friday and Saturday because of the rainy conditions prevailingin the country, and to ensure the safety of all participants.
Accordingly, only two falconers qualified Saturday for the higher rounds in the Al Tala'a competitions.
Nasser bin Jassim al-Kuwari, deputy head of the Al Tala'a Committee, said the competitions scheduled for the seventh day of the festival were initially postponed due to the inclement weather. However, with visibility improving, a decision was taken to go ahead with the schedule of the competitions to maintain fairness among all competitors while ensuring safety.
Accordingly, only strong and highly qualified falcons could make it to the higher rounds. He said one of the qualifying falcons at Saturday's competition went after its prey within less than one minute of its release, which indicated its power and strength.
Al Kass TV commentator and heritage programmes specialist Ali bin Nawra stressed that the 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) is considered the most distinguished edition, as it has experienced falconers and highly skilled falcons. He added that besides fans of hunting and falcons, the festival has established its popularity among the general public and enhanced interest in heritage sports.
He pointed out that Al Qannas Qatari Society and Marmi Festival are among the biggest supporters of falconry, which has helped attract young people to this ancestral sport. He also stressed that falconry and falcon training have continued to develop considerably over the past few years.
Meanwhile, the organising committee of Marmi has announced the winners in the young falconer and aspiring falconer categories. The first winner is awarded a prize of QR25,000, the second (QR20,000), the third (QR15,000), the fourth (QR10,000) and the fifth (QR8,000).
Marmi 2023 is organised by Al Qannas Qatari Society under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, and is scheduled to continue until January 28. It has drawn local, regional and international attention as one of the major festivals in its category. It has been pioneered by Qatar to develop the heritage sport.