HE Sheikh Jouan bin Hamad al-Thani presenting the cheque of QR500,000, being the first prize for the best hunting falcon ‘Al Mazyoon’ to owner Ahmad Khalaf al-Mansouri
The fortnight-long second annual show on falcons and Saluki hunting dogs concluded on Saturday with a prize awarding ceremony for various categories, Arabic daily Arrayah reports.
The event was held at the shooting range in the Sealine area and the closing function was presided over by HE Sheikh Jouan bin Hamad al-Thani. The QR500,000 first prize for the best hunting falcon ‘Al Mazyoon’ was granted to owner Ahmad Khalaf al-Mansouri. The 2nd and 3rd prizes of QR300,000 and QR200,000 were granted to Mohamed Ibrahim al-Bouainain and Mohamed Yusuf al-Kuwari respectively.
In the category of ‘Jarnas’ falcons, the first prize of a vehicle was won by Shafi Jaber al-Hajiri. The second and third places in the category won cash prizes of QR50,000 and QR30,000. These were awarded to Saad Ahmad al-Hamdan al-Muhannadi and Mohamed Nasser Ali Nasser al-Noaimy respectively.
In the category of ‘youngest trained owners of falcons’, the top honour and the QR10,000 was bagged by Khaled Hamad Ali Huwaish al-Merrri. He beat back the challenge from second-placed Mansoor Hassan Saleh al-Kuwari and third-placed Ali Jassim Ali Saad al-Kabi who were encouraged with cash prizes of QR9,000 and QR8,000 respectively.
In the seniors’ category of trained falcon owners, the top prize worth QR20,000 was bagged by Abdur Rahman Saleh al-Dasam. The second and third prizes worth QR15,000 and QR10,000 respectively were claimed by Hamad Abdur Rahman al-Mehshadi and Ghanem Hamd al-Rumaihi respectively.
The best Saluki hunting dog earned its owner Khaled Yaar Mohamed Bahrami a brand new vehicle. The second and third placed entries won their owners Abdul Aziz Ahmad Khaleel al-Noaimy and Sad Ghanem Hasan Binghaith al-Kuwari cash prizes of QR40,000 and QR30,000 respectively.
Several hobbyists from Qatar and UAE who enjoy keeping and training falcons and Saluki dogs took part in the show. Qatar Hunting Association board chairman Nasser bin Ghanem al-Ali said: “We have had a good response from those who cherish the hobby of falconry and dog training as well as from the public in general. But this traditional hobby for which the Gulf is known needs to be promoted in a more effective way.”