The 17th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) opened Thursday at Sealine under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani with the backing from the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam).
The festival launched with the Hudd Challenge, a competition for young Saker falcons. Falcons are tasked with catching or cornering a released homing pigeon. Winners receive QR100,000 and qualify for the finals, with the top prize including a Lexus car.
In the first round, five participants qualified for the finals: Al Shamsi Team (UAE), Al Gharbia Team, Al Mashghar Team, Al Nasraniya Team, and Mohamed Ahmed Al Harbi (UAE). Winners were crowned on-site by Muteb Mubarak al-Qahtani, chairman of the Marmi Festival; and his deputy, Abdulwahab Omair al-Nuaimi.
Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Ali, head of committees and festival spokesperson, highlighted the 17th edition as a milestone in organisational development, field management, and competition rules. “Each edition introduces new elements, building on cumulative experience to enhance the level of competition and preserve Qatar’s falconry heritage,” he said.
Shawi al-Kaabi, head of the Hudd Challenge, stressed the importance of participants’ safety and adherence to competition guidelines. The challenge uses tracking devices and specialised judges to ensure fair evaluation of the falcons’ performance while protecting both birds and competitors.
Falconers lauded the festival for its role in maintaining Qatar’s and the Gulf’s falconry heritage. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalid al-Thani of the Al Mashghar Team expressed excitement at qualifying his team’s first falcon this year, noting strong preparation with 11 participating falcons. Mohamed Ahmed Jaber al-Harbi (UAE) described the festival as a vibrant, well-organised event, offering an atmosphere of healthy competition and camaraderie.
The festival’s opening day drew large crowds who watched thrilling displays of skill and agility between the Saker falcons and homing pigeons. Competitions are set to continue today, with the Tal’ah Championship qualifiers in the morning and the second round of the Hudd Challenge in the afternoon.
