Abu Dhabi, 18 December, 2012 (WAM)-- The Falcon Hunting Competition kicked off on Sunday, in Madinat Zayed in Al Gharbia (the Western Region) in Abu Dhabi for the third consecutive year with the participation of 180 competitors in the category of Gyr-Shahin .
The Emirati falconer Hamdan Saeed Jaber dominated the Gyr-Shahin category by winning the four top positions with his falcons: Shebabi, Meskat, Baroud, and Shojaa 1, in times: 17.769 seconds, 18.068 seconds, 18.090 seconds, and 18.370 seconds, respectively. The Competition is organized by the Emirates Falconers' Club as part of the on-going Al Dhafra Festival. Director of Al Dhafra Festival's Heritage Competitions, Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei said that the Higher Organizing Committee had launched this competition because of the close association it has with popular heritage, in which it is deeply rooted. The main objectives consist in preserving authentic heritage, promoting its bright image, and offering an opportunity for visitors to discover a number of interesting and unforgettable events. Al Mazrouei noted that the success of the Festival lies in its ability to revive traditional games that appeal to young lovers of heritage, whether from inside or outside the UAE. The Higher Organizing Committee of the Festival is seeking to set the standards needed to ensure the dissemination of traditional pastimes, notably falconry. The Higher Organizing Committee of the Festival has set the conditions and designated the different categories for the Falcon Hunting Competition to ensure the smooth progress of the event. Concerning the different categories of the competition, Al Mazrouei stated two categories, namely the Gyr falcon and its different types such as the three-quarters, 8/7, Al Qurmousha Gyr and the pure Gyr, as well as the category of the Shahin falcon (Peregrine) and all its types, such as the Shahin Gyr, and the Wakri Gyr. Also this year, the Committee has added a competition for the category of Gyr-Taba along with a training series with radio-controlled aircraft aimed at underscoring heritage with modern aspects. The RC aircraft competition aims at proving that there is no conflict between the old traditions and the modern aspects, mechanisms and tools. Al Mazrouei also confirmed that valuable prizes have been set aside for the winners of the ten first positions. It should be noted that the competition aims at promoting the use of hybrid falcons bred into captivity as a substitute for wild falcons, ensuring, hence, the protection and survival of the rare species. Al Mazrouei expected that the 6th edition, which depicts the pure nature of the Bedouin spirit on the ground, would draw large numbers of tourists and visitors from various countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He noted that this Festival, which has turned international in every sense of the word, shows that modernity is compatible with the cultural heritage of the UAE.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
