Tribune News Network
Doha
The registration process for the Hadad Al-Tahadi Championships and Al-Talaa Championships will begin today, December 24, 2024, at the headquarters of the Qatari Hunting Association in Katara, as part of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) in its 16th edition, which be held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and with the support of the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam) from January 1 to February 1, 2025 at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine.
Registration and inspection for the Hadad and Al-Talaa Championships will continue from today, December 24 to December 26, while the electronic registration for the Al-Dawa and Al-Talaa Championships is open until 11pm on December 25.
The registration process for the Hadad Al-Tahadi Championships will continue until December 26. Meanwhile, registration for the Saluki Racing Championship has been closed.
The Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi) has become a landmark in the efforts of the Al Gannas Association to preserve the Qatari and Gulf heritage.
The festival aims to preserve the heritage and sentimental values of this sport inherited from fathers and grandfathers, in addition to its importance in the literature of Arab folklore, especially the Gulf and Qatari.
Shawi Al Kaabi, chairman of the Hadad Al Tahadi Committee, said that the second day of registration witnessed a large turnout as expected, noting that registration for Hadad Al Tahadi continues until next Thursday evening at the headquarters of the Al Gannas Association in Katara.
He added, "Today, we noticed the registration of a number of competitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which shows that we are waiting for strong competition between the owners of falcons and carrier pigeons in the field.”
Kaabi stressed that the committee is keen to facilitate all registration procedures, as the registered falcon is inspected in minutes, which makes it easier for participants, calling on participants to arrive early to the association’s headquarters in order to register or complete the registration process for those who did so electronically.
A number of contestants praised the efforts of the organising committee in the registration procedures or in the festival in general, appreciating the efforts of the Qatari Falconers Association in preserving the Qatari and Gulf heritage.
Rashid Abdulrahman Al Athba said, "I am happy to register in my favourite championship, and I have participated three times before, and thanks to God, I was one of the winners of the Al-Haddad Award, and today we return again for more competition with a new Shaheen chick that was purchased in preparation for the festival.”
For his part, Ali Salem Al Mansoori from the United Arab Emirates said that he is participating in the Marmi Festival for the first time, praising the ease of registration procedures.
He added that the Marmi Festival is one of the well-known international festivals that receive the attention of falconers from various GCC countries due to the nature of the championships as well as the valuable prizes, which shows the strength of the competition.
Hamad Rashid Al Nabet Al Marri said, "This is my third participation in the Marmi International Festival, and I have participated in Gulf festivals. The Marmi Festival has its own nature and various championships, especially the Hadad Al Tahadi, in which competition is high.”
Registration for the Saluki race closed on Monday.
Ibrahim Khalil Al Tamimi, a member of the Hadad Al Tahadi Committee at the Marmi Festival, said that registration closed after a large and expected turnout for the Saluki race, as many flocked to the various rounds, including the Al Mahjanat round and the Al Arabiya round.
"We expect a strong race and we ask God for success for all participants, as the Saluki race is one of the important races in the Marmi Festival and has its own audience, where there is fun, excitement and challenge,” Tamimi said.