FUJAIRAH, 23rd February 2018: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, inaugurated the Maktoum AlSharqi Falcon Championship, organized and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), which began on Friday 23rd February in the Madhab area in Fujairah.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, stressed the importance of preserving the heritage of the UAE through customs and traditions inherited from parents and grandparents.
The first ever falconry championship in the Eastern Emirate of Fujairah was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Sports and Cultural Club, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Emirates Union for Bodybuilding and Fitness, Salim Al Zahmi, from the Crown Prince’s Office, and Ms. Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, and Mohammed Al Taniji, Chairman of the Organizing Committee.
His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah praised the efforts of the organizers of the tournament and their keenness on its success by confirming the UAE’s leading role in hosting the most prestigious tournaments in the region.
Motivation
Ms. Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, said the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah and Sheikh Maktoum Al Sharqi, has affirmed the stature of the Maktoum AlSharqi Falcon Championship and given the participants an additional fillip and motivation to excel in these competitions.
“HHC managed to supervise and organize the first championship in Ajman and now this is the second one in Fujairah – which saw a kick start with 300 falcons on the first day of championship. HHC is always willing to make this bridge with other emirates by providing their expertise in heritage sports such as falconry because in general this will realize the broader mission of the Centre. These championships will help reinforce the national identity among the youth and juniors, and it would help support UAE’s efforts to preserve national culture,” she said.
The championship which carries total prize money of AED 460,000 will conclude on Saturday 23rd February with the Qarmoosha Farkh and Jeer Tabaa Farkh scheduled to commence at 8.00 a.m.
History
HBT created history becoming the first winners of the Maktoum AlSharqi Falcon Championship which has attracted 300 entries.
Al Mansouri won the hotly contested Pure Jeer Farkh event with his falcon clocking 18.573 seconds. Suhail Hilal bin Tarraf’s entry (18.737) won second place while Ahmed Al Mazroei’s falcon (18.902) clinched third position.
HBT team triumphed in the Jeer Shaheen Farkh event with their falcons named ‘Zilza’ clocking 18.546 seconds. Hamed Mohammed Qubaisi’s entry (19.065) won second place while Hussein Nasser Lootah’s falcon (19.387) won third position.
Salim Al Wahibi (falconer of HBT) was overwhelmed after emerging victorious in the last falconry event of the season.
“I’m really very happy. This is our first year in falconry racing. Our hard work has yielded results. My best has come in the last race,” said Salim Al Wahibi of HBT team.
Abdullah Al Hantoubi, deputy chairman of the Maktoum AlSharqi Falcon Championship, said thanks to support and cooperation of HHC they got a great opportunity to organize this event in Fujairah.
“Before it started, I was a little bit nervous because it is a first for us in Fujairah. After the competition began my confidence returned. I am so happy to see so many participants from other emirates in particular. This is a good start for falconry in Fujairah,” he said.
Excitement
There was keen competition among the participants and buzz of excitement as a large crowd thronged to witness the championship with the efforts of the organizers being highly appreciated.
Ahmed Al Mazroei who convinced many falconers to participate in the championship said it was as if the competition was being held in Dubai.
“It is very nice and beautiful. Everything (organizing) is like Dubai. There was no change. It is a nice meeting of falconers from Sharjah, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah in Fujairah,” he said.
Nawaf Al Matrooshi from Abu Dhabi said the championship in Fujairah was “fantastic”. Butti Juma Al Qubaisi, a member of the ‘Noukhba’ team, said the falconers felt comfortable throughout the competition.
460,000
The championship features total cash prize of AED 460,000 distributed among the top 10 players in each of the four events: Pure Jeer Farkh, Jeer Shaheen Farkh, Qarmoosha Farkh and Jeer Tabaa Farkh.
The winner will receive AED 50,000 each, AED 20,000 for winning second place, AED 10,000 for the third place winner and AED 5,000 each from fourth to 10th positions.
More details on the Maktoum AlSharqi Falcon Championship are available on the website http://f3.hhc.gov.ae/mks
