Over 1,000 falcons to show off skills at Dubai contest

A contestant at Fazza championship in Dubai unleashes his falcon. - Photo by Rahul Gajjar

Over a thousand falcons showed off their skills during the second and third day of the Fazza Championship for Falconry Telwah. Organised by the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC), dozens of falconers are participating in this year's tournament, which started last Saturday in Al Ruwayyah, Dubai.
Competitors are showcasing their falconry skills in each of the two main categories: 'Shaikhs' and 'General Public'; and their sub-categories, 'Qarmoosha Farkh', 'Qarmoosha Jernaas' ,'Jeer Tibha Farkh' and 'Jeer Tibha Jernaas'.
Fans of the region's heritage sports can head out to Al Ruwayyah, where the competition will be on till January 12. It has incorporated significant technological advances over previous editions of the tournament, with high-precision sensors and windbreaks being just two of the features that have raised its standard. Innovative electronic scanning has improved the registration and daily preparation process and ensured a smoother running of the contest.
Souad Ibrahim Darwish, director of championships at the HHC, said: "After nearly a decade and a half of organising these traditional championships, we continue to strive to achieve the objectives of the HHC and develop the championship from all organisational and technical aspects."
Tommy Havemann-Mart, the sole British participant in the championship so far, said: "I have already participated in several competitions, with my company specialising in providing optimum nutrition for falcons. I was keen to take part in this championship because of its high stature in falconry tournaments and its impressive development."
Of the 1,000 falcons participating in the contest, the top 10 from each category are eligible to qualify for the finals. Next Friday is dedicated for the 'juniors' participation, and the following two days for the 'Kahlijis' (GCC) participants. - reporters@khaleejtimes.com