The homing pigeons continued to give exceptionally excellent performance for the second consecutive day on Wednesday against the falcons, escaping their sharp claws and returning safe to their coops at Umm Ebairiya at ongoing the 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023). Only two falcons were able to hunt their prey during the afternoon session of the competitions of Haddad Al Tahadi (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain standards). One of the falcons is owned by a Kuwaiti falconer and the other by a Qatari falconer. A total of 58 falcons have qualified for the higher round of this competition since the start of the festival.
Shawi al-Kaabi, deputy head of Haddad Al Tahadi, pointed out that the ultimate upper hand Wednesday was certainly for the homing pigeons as it was clear that most of the falcons were not fully prepared for the hunt. Some said that the strong winds gave pigeons advantage over the falcons but al-Kaabi stressed that the strong winds have equal effect on both the pigeons and the falcons, which shows the excellent skills of the pigeons.
The organising committee of Marmi 2023 has been very keen to provide opportunity for many commercial shops throughout the festival location for the various needs of the falconers, campers and visitors. Some of these shops also have traditional gifts and heritage collectibles such as vintage radios and television sets and other items, while others sell various falconry-related tools, items, gifts and mementos.
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 been drawing 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.
