Falconry championship off to strong start

DUBAI// More than 400 bird lovers took part in the first round of the Fazza Championship for Falconry, which kicked off on Saturday.

Falconers in the Faroukh-Qarmousha category for sheikhs and general public competed and earned good speed records despite strong winds.

“We are pleased to kick-start the season with the falconry championships. Although the winds were strong, the falconers still managed to compete smoothly,” said Souad Ibrahim Darwish , director of championships at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, which organized the Fazza Championship for Falconry.

“In the past, under such weather conditions the tournaments would be postponed for days. Nowadays, we are able to surpass all such challenges.”

Ten falconers from every 100 participants will qualify for the finals on Thursday.

“Every year a remarkable change is registered, not only in the increased number of falconers, but also in the quality of the well-trained falcons,” said Dumaithan bin Swaidan, head of Committee of the Fazza Championships, who also welcomed Hungarian falconer Zolten Lofantay, the first person from the European country to take part.

Mr Lofantay said he was happy to learn the championship was open to all, adding that he has been practicing falconry from a young age.

The Fazza Championships, which includes falconry and traditional dancing to shooting and hunting, celebrates the UAE’s heritage.