The top-five winning teams of the Balmsan Championship and the top three winners in the “Biggest Fish” competition were crowned Friday during Al-Qaffal celebration at Katara Cultural Village by general manager Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti.
Balmsan is considered the final stage of the Senyar Festival competitions.
The championship derives its name from the main fishing site “Herr Balmsan”, one of Qatar’s largest and richest marine habitats for oysters and fish.
The event at Katara’s southern beach (Freej Katara) was attended by dignitaries, local seafarers, and enthusiasts of Qatar’s rich maritime heritage.
The returning traditional dhows were welcomed with sea chants performed by Al-Rifaa folk band.
Families received the returning captains and sailors with flowers and musk, while young girls participated in a ceremony that revived the charm of the past and evoked deep cultural pride.
The first place was claimed by Al-Wakra team, led by Captain Yousef Ibrahim al-Obaidly, who was awarded a cash prize of QR1mn.
Second place went to Al-Maydan team, under the leadership of Captain Issa Abdullah Saleh, who received QR600,000.
The third-place winner was Balmsan team, led by Captain Jassim Ahmed al-Mohannadi, securing QR500,000.
In fourth place came the Battaah team, captained by Abdullah Saleh al-Sulaiti, winning a prize of QR200,000, while the fifth place went to Al-Zubarah team, led by Captain Nasser Khalifa Melhem, who received QR100,000.
In the “Biggest Fish” competition, the Silver Fish team, led by Captain Jumaa Ibrahim al-Sheraim, took first place with a kingfish weighing 16.10kg and awarded QR30,000.
The second prize went to Shulaa team, captained by Khalifa Bouhassoum al-Badr, for a kingfish weighing 16kg, earning them QR20,000.
The third place was secured by Balmsan team, led again by Captain al-Mohannadi, with a fish weighing 13.10kg and a prize of QR10,000.
In his address during the awards ceremony, Dr al-Sulaiti expressed his satisfaction with the achievements of the participating teams.
“We are pleased to celebrate the conclusion of the Balmsan Championship, which has provided a wonderful example of fair competition and reflected the authenticity of our rich maritime heritage,” he said. “The Senyar Festival has become an annual tradition that reinforces the values of our forefathers and revives the spirit of challenge and maritime legacy within the hearts of younger generations.”
He reiterated Katara’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that promote national identity and preserve cultural heritage, extending his gratitude to all sponsors and partners who contributed to the success of this unique event.
Jihad al-Jaidah, head of the Judging Committee for the Senyar Festival, noted the high level of skill and dedication demonstrated by the teams despite challenging marine and weather conditions.
He stressed that the judging process was based on strict criteria that considered the weight and type of fish in accordance with the rules of the Hadaq and Liffah competitions.
The competitions took place over Wednesday and Thursday, in open waters near Halul Island, one of Qatar’s richest fishing grounds.
The closing ceremony included the recognition of sponsoring entities, including the Ministry of Interior (Coast and Border Guard Department), Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (Natural Reserves Department), Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam), Al Kass Sports Channels, QatarEnergy (Mesaieed Port), Hamad Port, Qatar Fish Store, Safar Fish Store, and Senyar Ice Factory.
