DUBAI, 12th January 2017: Falcons of MRM team and Ahmed Seghayer Al Ketbi produced earth shattering performances to win the RC (Remote Controlled) Airplane finals in the Sheikhs and General Public categories in the Fazza Championship for Falconry Tilwah organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) in Dubai on Wednesday 11th January.
MRM falconer Butti Al Ketbi’s top entry ‘Earthquake’ stormed to victory clocking 1: 16.283 minutes in the RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (Sheikhs) category final blowing away the field and a thick blanket of fog on the tenth morning of competition at the dedicated Falconry championship site in Ruwayyah (Exit 55) off Emirates Road.
Ahmed Al Ketbi won the RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (General Public) category final also with an impressive time of 1:16.828 to complete an extraordinary day of racing involving man, machine and falcons flying over a total distance 2,000 metres at incredible speeds.
Ms. Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, said sustaining the championship speed record has proved that heritage sports like falconry has become very competitive.
“This competition has showcased immense talents of Emiratis in falconry. We are proud to have reached this level and giving the opportunity to professional Emirati falconers who are reaping rewards for sustaining the heritage of the UAE by breeding falcons and training them for championships,” she said.
RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (Sheikhs)
Khalifa bin Mijrin representing F3K shot into the lead in the lead clocking 1: 17.082, 0.262 faster than YLS falconer Mustafa Al Mas’s entry which surged into the lead briefly recording a time of 1: 17.344 in the RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (Sheikhs) category final.
Butti Al Ketbi saved the best for the last as his fourth falcon produced a stunning performance clipping 0.799 seconds off Mijrin’s falcon ironically called ‘Stunning’ to top the leaderboard with a winning time of 1:16.283.
“I’m very happy to have won this race. It did not come out of the blue. It is a result of years and hours of practice and dedication to the sport of falconry,” said Saeed Naseeb Al Ketbi from MRM.
“This is a different challenge than the usual Tilwah race because it has the modern element of remote controlled airplanes. It requires a special type of falcon as well as you need a very good pilot. It has got lot of technical aspects. We are pleased to have the required types of birds. It is very unique. The challenge was greater this time because other competitors have also improved themselves and have reached a high level of professionalism,” he said.
RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (General Public)
Ahmed Seghayer Kanoon Mohammed Al Ketbi was elated after his falcon ‘Awad’ shattered the field with a record time of 1:16.828 to win the RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (General Public) category final in style.
Ali Matar Al Ketbi’s falcon set the pace clocking 1:18.195 but Ahmed Seghayer’s ‘Awad’ gifted by a friend after one of his of champion birds died, smashed more than one second (1.367) to top the leaderboard.
Hamad Ahmed bin Mijren surged into second after his falcon clocked 1: 17.423 with Ali Matar Al Ketbi having to settle for third place 1: 18.195. Another of Ahmed Seghayer’s entry also came fourth.
“This victory is a result of years of hard work. I have a large stock of birds but through training and monitoring their timings, I know the potential winner. Lots of birds don’t have speed for championships like these. We started training intensely since November. I think Awad will eventually break championship records someday,” said Ahmed Seghayer who has been compensated for his loss with another champion falcon.
Final results
RC Airplane Jeer Shaheen Jernas (Sheikh): 1. Butti Al Ketbi (MRM) 1: 16.283 minutes 2. Khalifa bin Mujrin (F3K) 1: 17.082 3. Mustafa Al Mas (YLS) 1: 17.344 4. Mustafa Al Mas (YLS) 1: 17.802 5. Butti Al Ketbi (MRM) 1: 17.868 6. Khalifa bin Mujrin (F3K) 1: 18.069 7. Butti Al Ketbi (MRM) 1: 18.123 8. Butti Al Ketbi (MRM) 1: 18.230 9. Khalifa bin Mujrin (F3K) 1: 18.830 10. Khalifa bin Mujrin (F3K) 1: 20.682
RC Airplane Shaheen Jernas (General Public): 1. Ahmed Seghayer Kanoon Mohammed Al Ketbi 1: 16.828 minutes 2. Hamad Ahmed bin Sheikh Rashid Mijren Al Kindi 1: 17.423 3. Ali Matar Al Ketbi 1: 18.195 4. Ahmed Seghayer Kanoon Mohammed Al Ketbi 1: 18.270 5. Hamad Ahmed bin Sheikh Rashid Mijren Al Kindi 1: 18.402 6. Hamdan Saeed Jaber 1: 18.562 7. Saif Jamal Al Huraiz 1: 19.363 8. Ahmed Seghayer Kanoon Mohammed Al Ketbi 1: 19.495 9. Hamad Ahmed bin Sheikh Rashid Mijren Al Kindi 1: 19.535 10. Hamdan Saed Jaber DNF
The official sponsors of heritage events organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Center are Al Tayer Motors, Land Rover, Dubai Airports, Dubai World Trade Center, AW Rostamani (Arabian Automobiles), Global Village and Al Oula Radio.
