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The peregrine falcons failed for the second consecutive day to catch the racing pigeons in the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship, held as part of the 17th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026). The festival is held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund “Daam.” It is taking place at Sabkhat Marmi in the Sealine Area, and will continue until January 24.The competition between the peregrine falcons and the racing pigeons resulted in the pigeons prevailing in Group Five, as none of the falcons were able to catch the pigeons, which returned safely to their nests in Umm Ebairiya for the second day in a row.**media[401740]**Shawi al-Kaabi, chairman of Hadd Al-Tahaddi Committee, said that the falconers of Group Five were indeed unable to make a catch, and the advantage went to Abdullah Fakhro’s pigeons for the second consecutive day, leaving the number of winners and qualifiers for the final round at eight falconers.Al-Kaabi explained that it is difficult to say that the peregrine falcons are weak or poorly trained. During the competition, the falcons chased and attempted to trap the pigeons, but the pigeons remained faster thanks to their light weight and intense training. Racing pigeons are among the fastest birds, making the competition fierce, but luck did not favour the falcons.He added that the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship will continue on Wednesday during the evening session with Group Six, calling on participants to arrive early so the committee can begin its work in an organised manner to ensure better coordination of the championship.**media[401741]**Meanwhile, Abdullah Fakhro, owner of the racing pigeons, said that the pigeons’ superiority for the second consecutive day in the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship within the Marmi Festival confirms that organised work and continuous training make the difference in such difficult competitions. He explained that the pigeons demonstrated a high ability to manoeuvre and accurately read the flight path of the peregrine falcons over the Sealine, enabling them to escape and return safely to their nests despite the falcons’ powerful flight and rapid dives.Fakhro added that the secret behind this success lies in his constant focus on diversifying and renewing his racing pigeons by introducing new types and young birds no older than one or two years, ages characterised by high vitality and better responsiveness to training and endurance. However, he stressed that he does not know in advance which competitor will be assigned a particular pigeon, which gives the competition greater credibility and makes the challenge fairer and more exciting.**media[401742]**The morning competitions of the Al-Tal'a Championship were held, featuring falconers from Groups 21 to 25. Abdulhadi Jaber al-Buraidi from Group 21 and Hamdan Mohamed al-Nuaimi from Group 22 qualified for the next round, while the remaining groups failed to advance.Rashdan bin Obaid al-Rashdan, vice chairman of the Al-Tal’a Committee, said that Tuesday’s Al-Tal’a competitions took place under suitable and favourable hunting conditions. All participants were given ample opportunity and sufficient time for their falcons to ascend, but the falcons’ performance was poor that day, particularly in Groups 23, 24, and 25.**media[401743]**He noted that two falcons were disqualified because each repeatedly stopped mid-air and deviated from their intended path, indicating they could not see the houbara bustard. He added that the Al-Tal’a Championship will continue on Wednesday for Groups 26 to 30, with the qualifiers concluding on Thursday through the postponed group competitions (12, 13, 14, 15, 19, and 20). After that, a draw will be conducted among those qualified for the semifinal round.Besides, the registration for the International Da’w Championship began Tuesday and will continue until January 15. The International Da’w Championship, scheduled to take place on January 20, includes four categories. Registration for the International Shooting Championship concludes today (January 7). The championship includes three categories: Juniors (ages 14–18), to be held on January 9; Amateurs on January 10; and Professionals, whose competitions will take place on January 17. 

Ooredoo has signed a strategic agreement with the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (Daam), naming it as an Official Supporter of the ‘Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2026’.Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, vice chairman of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo Organising Committee at Ooredoo Qatar, and Hassan Yousef al-Obaidly, director of Programmes at Daam, signed the agreement recently.Al-Kuwari said, “Together, we are creating opportunities for thousands of participants to embrace active lifestyles, while strengthening the bonds that unite our community through the power of sport.”Al-Obaidly said, “This collaboration will contribute to enhancing sporting excellence and uniting efforts to elevate the participants' experience, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 in building a vibrant and cohesive society.” 

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. 

The activities of the 17th edition of Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) will start on Thursday, Jan 1, and will continue until Jan 24 at Sabkhat Marmi in the Sealine area.The festival is held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, and it is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund 'Daam'.Muteb al-Qahtani, director of Championships at the Al-Qannas Qatari Society and chairman of the Marmi Festival, revealed that the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship will signal the launch of the festival on the evening of Jan 1, 2026, with the first group.He explained that the championship is dedicated to Shaheen falcon chicks, where a homing pigeon and a falcon are released. If the falcon manages to catch or corner the pigeon at a specific location, it is declared the winner and falconer is awarded QR100,000, in addition to qualifying for the final to compete for a Lexus car. He noted that the number of groups in the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship for this edition is 18.He added that the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship will continue with the second group on the following day, Jan 2. On the same day, the qualifying rounds of the Tal’a Championship for groups 1 to 5 will begin in the morning.He explained that the championship features 30 groups and is based on the falcon’s visual strength in spotting prey, as a houbara bustard is placed 2km from the falcon’s location. The falcon that launches first, lands, and captures the prey qualifies. On Jan 3, the qualifiers for groups six to 10 will take place, while in the evening, the Promising Falconer Championship will be held in parallel with the qualifying rounds of the Saluki Race Championship.The chairman of the Marmi Festival noted that the organising committee opened online registration for promising falconers on Dec 25 which will continue until 11pm on Jan 1, pointing out that the championship is open to the 6–15 age group. The competition will be in the Da’w event over a distance of 200m for the following categories: Tab’a and Shawayhina (wild or bred), and Qarmousha, Koubaj, and Wokri (wild or bred).Al-Qahtani further stated that the Tal’a Championship qualifiers for groups 11 to 15 will take place on Jan 4, groups 16 to 20 on Jan 5, groups 21 to 25 on Jan 6, and groups 26 to 30 on Jan 7.Immediately after the completion of the Tal’a Championship qualifiers, a draw will be conducted to determine the dates of the upcoming final rounds.In addition, al-Qahtani explained that the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship will resume with Group 3 on Jan 4, Group 4 (Jan 5), Group 5 (Jan 6), Group 6 (Jan 7), Group 7 (Jan 8), Group 8 (Jan 9), Group 9 (Jan 10), Group 10 (Jan 11), Group 11 (Jan 12), Group 12 (Jan 13), Group 13 (Jan 14), Group 14 (Jan 15), Group 15 (Jan 16), Group 16 (Jan 18), Group 17 (Jan 19), and Group 18 (Jan 20).He further noted that the Local Da’w Championship will be held on Jan 13. He explained that this competition measures the speed of falcons flying from the starting point to the finish line over a distance of 400m, which is a local distance.He added that the Local Da’w Championship will begin on Jan 13 morning for the categories of Gyr-Shaheen chick and locally bred free falcon chick, followed by local production in all categories. On Jan 14, qualifiers will be held for the Gyr Qarnass and free falcon chick categories, while on Jan 15, qualifiers will be held for the Gyr-Shaheen Qarnass and Shaheen Qarnass categories. The Local Da’w finals will conclude with the Gyr chick and free falcon Qarnass categories on the morning of Jan 16.He pointed out that the Saluki Race Championship final will take place on the evening of Saturday, Jan 17.He also noted that the Local Da’w final for all categories will be held on the morning of Jan 19, while the International Da’w final will take place on Jan 20. He said registration details and categories for the international event will be announced soon.Al-Qahtani added that the Hadd Al-Tahaddi Championship final will be held on the evening of Jan 23, while the Mazayin Championship (Falcon Beauty contest) will take place on Jan 24.The festival aims to preserve the cultural and emotional values of this sport inherited from forefathers, in addition to its importance in Arab folk heritage literature, particularly in the Gulf and Qatari context. 

Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Long-Term Care and Residential Services at Rumailah Hospital have successfully achieved reaccreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) for the fourth time, following a detailed survey conducted in October 2025.This important milestone covers HMC’s Long-Term Care facilities, including the Enaya and Daam Specialised Care Center and the Residential Care Compound-1, reaffirming HMC’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality care. The reaccreditation serves as a strong endorsement of the quality and safety standards embedded in every aspect of service delivery.The Enaya and Daam Specialised Care Center and Residential Care Compound-1 provide 24/7 care and rehabilitation for long-term patients with complex and chronic medical conditions. These specialised centres are the only facilities of their kind in Qatar, offering comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to improve patients’ quality of life.The JCI survey, conducted under the 2nd Edition of the JCI Accreditation Standards for Long-Term Care, evaluated all aspects of operations, from clinical care and patient safety to leadership and management systems. The successful outcome confirms HMC’s full compliance with international best practices in long-term healthcare delivery. 

Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, has announced the organisation of the third edition of the Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show, supported by Daam, to be held from November 5 to 8, 2025. The event will take place under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Al Shaqab, marking a significant milestone in the calendar of Arabian horse beauty competitions in Qatar and the region. This year’s show will combine elegance with the exceptional beauty of Arabian horses, taking place across Al Shaqab’s indoor and outdoor arenas. The event reflects Al Shaqab’s mission to support the development and promotion of purebred Arabian horses locally and internationally while highlighting their rich cultural heritage within Qatari society. The competition holds special significance as it is internationally recognised and classified as Category (B), conducted under the supervision of the European Conference of Arabian Horse Organisations (ECAHO), providing participants the opportunity to qualify for higher-ranked international championships. Previous editions have successfully attracted prominent horse owners and exceptional horses from Qatar and abroad, alongside a strong public turnout, demonstrating the deep passion for equestrian sports within the Qatari community. Al Shaqab has also announced that registration for the upcoming edition will be open from September 14 to 25, 2025, inviting horse owners from around the world to participate in this prestigious event, which has become a highlight on the international equestrian competition calendar. Since its establishment in 1992, Al Shaqab has focused on preserving the heritage of Arabian horses in Qatar and promoting them both culturally and athletically. The organization continues to strive to be a leading global destination for equestrian enthusiasts and professionals, while offering a unique, interactive experience for the community.

The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with the Ministry of Sports and Youth to support the seventh edition of the 'Samla Race 2025', taking place from November 27 to 29. Under the agreement, DAAM will provide financial backing for the event and allocate prizes worth over QR 3mn to participants. The agreement reflects DAAM’s leading role in promoting sports activities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside other companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange. Samla Race 2025 is a one-of-a-kind 200km race bringing together five sports: swimming, running, mountain biking, kayaking, and shooting. Chief Executive Officer of DAAM Abdulrahman bin Abdul Latif al-Manaei emphasized the significance of supporting such initiatives: "Events of this kind play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of sports within the community and in developing exceptional athletes. This edition of the race is expected to bring strong competition and record participation. I wish all participants every success.” For his part, President of the Qatar Challenge Raceing Club (Samla), and CEO of the Samla Race Organizing Committee Azzam al-Manaei expressed his pride in hosting Samla 2025, stating: "This event serves as a platform to foster the spirit of competition, athletic exchange, and passion for adventure sports. Year after year, participation continues to grow, and the Samla Race has become one of the most thrilling and demanding competitions in the region, requiring exceptional physical and mental endurance to complete all stages and reach the finish line.” Since its inception in 2010, DAAM has initiated numerous crucial projects and programs across social, sports, and cultural sectors. Contributions from shareholding companies listed on the QSE are a major financial resource for the Fund, positioning them as crucial partners in advancing sustainable community development in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with the Ministry of Sports and Youth to support the seventh edition of the "Samla Race 2025," taking place from 27 to 29 November 2025.Under the agreement, DAAM will provide financial backing for the event and allocate prizes worth over QAR 3 million to participants.The agreement reflects DAAM's leading role in promoting sports activities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside other companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange.Samla Race 2025 is a one-of-a-kind 200 km race bringing together five sports: swimming, running, mountain biking, kayaking, and shooting.Chief Executive Officer of DAAM Abdulrahman bin Abdul Latif Al Manaei emphasized the significance of supporting such initiatives: "Events of this kind play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of sports within the community and in developing exceptional athletes. This edition of the race is expected to bring strong competition and record participation. I wish all participants every success."For his part, President of the Qatar Challenge Raceing Club (Samla), and CEO of the Samla Race Organizing Committee Azzam Al Manaei expressed his pride in hosting Samla 2025, stating: "This event serves as a platform to foster the spirit of competition, athletic exchange, and passion for adventure sports. Year after year, participation continues to grow, and the Samla Race has become one of the most thrilling and demanding competitions in the region, requiring exceptional physical and mental endurance to complete all stages and reach the finish line."Since its inception in 2010, DAAM has initiated numerous crucial projects and programs across social, sports, and cultural sectors. Contributions from shareholding companies listed on the QSE are a major financial resource for the Fund, positioning them as crucial partners in advancing sustainable community development in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.