Fazza Falconry Championship Taking Kicks Off for the Second Day

Strong Competitions in Harmony with The Wind

Championships Organized by Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre

Dubai, 27 December, 2013: The Fazza Falconry Championship, is currently under way with competitors from all over the UAE and abroad gathering to showcase the speed of their falcons. The rounds of the championship will be spread during the next twenty days. Pure Gear Jirnas (Sheikhs) and Garmousha Jirnas (Sheikhs) qualification rounds were held yesterday, 26 December 2013 in Al Ruwyyah area of Dubai.

The poll leaderboard showed a great win in the first category for the owner Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Harby, with his falcon crossing the distance of 400 meters in under 20 seconds. Meanwhile, the first rank in the second category, went to Hamdan Saeed Jabir whose competing falcon crossed the distance in less than 19 seconds. The championships were concluded with 10 qualified contestants who will move on to the final championship.

“Today the winds were mild and the falcons were able to fly without hindrance. For long years we have strived to improve the competitions, the registration system and the check-up of the participating falcon breed. This reflected on the success and the growth of the championships that we witness today. Falconry is regarded as one of oldest and most noble type of sport in the world and foremost it contributes to preserving our heritage”, said Dumaithan bin Swaidan, the Head of the organizing committee.

“This year we have kicked off early with the championships, just to ensure that winds will not stop any of the falcons from reaching the prey at the finish line. For the second day things are going well and we hope to attract more people. We truly hope to spread this interesting sport across the region and world. Falcons are rare species and have unique properties and it is very fascinating to know about the breeds, training and all relevant information about this species of bird ”, he added.

The competition sees the owners of these elegant birds stand a short distance away from their falcons and call them to their side. The bird that covers the distance in the shortest amount of time goes on to the next round of races.

Meanwhile, Souad Darwish, Managing Director of Championships commented: “ From day one, the championships witnessed a strong competition and we expect it go stronger and attract more sport and falcon lovers. We worked for years to ensure the success of every championship from speed measurement, timekeeping and scoring perspectives to the smallest technical details. This all comes within realizing our vision of preserving and enhancing our culture at Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre and passing it on to the next generation”.

Falconry falls well within the Arabian culture, and since the launch of the championship by Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, it has attracted huge number of fans, leading to more competition and larger prizes for winners making it one of the most popular heritage-based sports in the region.

Additionally, historical facts prove that falconry was born in the Arabian Peninsula, precisely in the Gulf area, more than 7000 years ago. Later, it spread to the world through the Arab and Islamic world and was well practiced by noblemen, making it one of the most noble sports in history.

Winners of Speed Falcons

Category Garmousha Jirnas (Sheikhs) are: first rank Mohammed bin Ahmed Jabir Al Kitby with falcon speed score of 19:139 seconds, in second rank Al Ain Falcons with speed score 19:287 sec, third rank NAS R with speed score of 19:446 sec, fourth rank Jumaa Saif Al Al Magoody with speed score 20:127 sec, fifth rank Khalifa Hamid bin Huraiz with speed score of 20:501, sixth rank MRM 1 with speed score 20:634, seventh rank Zabeel Falcons with speed score 21:046 sec, eight rank AFT with speed score 21:101 sec, ninth rank MRM 1 with speed score 22:196 sec, tenth rank Al Dahal Team with speed score 23:103 seconds.

Pure Gear Jirnas Category (Sheikhs): first rank went to Hamdan Saeed Jabir with falcon speed score of 18:941 seconds, in second rank NAS R with speed score 19:089 sec, third rank NAS H with speed score of 19:152 sec, fourth rank Mohammed Sultan Matar Al Kitby with speed score 19:209 sec, fifth rank Sultan Matar Al Kitby with speed score of 19:302, sixth rank Sultan Matar Al Kitby with speed score 19:327 sec, seventh rank Mohammed bin Ahmed Jabir Al Harby with speed score 19:343 sec, eighth rank Sultan Matar Al Kitby with speed score 19:350 sec, ninth rank NAS H with speed score 19:457 sec, tenth rank Mohammed Ahmed Jabir with speed score 19:468 seconds.