The number of winners and qualifiers at the Haddad Al Tahadi competitions (where the falcon has to hunt a homing pigeon within certain parameters) rose to 75 peregrine falcons Tuesday during the pre-final rounds at the ongoing 14th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023).Despite the cloudy, rainy and windy weather, both the homing pigeons and falcons gave excellent performance.This year's figure is the biggest since the festival started 14 years ago, with 75 homing pigeons falling prey to the talons of the falcons.Ali Sultan al-Humaidi, head of Haddad Al Tahadi Committee at Marmi 2023, stressed that this season has been exceptional and clearly showed the capabilities of the falcons and their owners.Accordingly, the Supreme Organising Committee of Marmi 2023 has decided to set next Thursday and Friday as the days for the finals of Haddad Al-Tahadi.Katara – the Cultural Village general manager Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, who visited the festival Tuesday, stated that Marmi 2023 maintains the cultural heritage of the country and enhances the original Qatari identity and heritage.He noted that Qatari youth are increasingly embracing this heritage sport, as the number of the registered contestants has been on the rise, with 1,000 participants for this edition of Marmi.Prof Dr al-Sulaiti also highly appreciated the sustainable nature of the falconry festival, with many falcon owners keen to release their falcons back into nature after the hunting season is over, as has been done for six successive years.The official also pointed out that the festival has been gaining more popularity and attracts large numbers of participants and visitors from the GCC region and the Arab countries.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 conclude on January 28.
January 25, 2023 | 12:36 AM