ABU DHABI- The 16th Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, ADIHEX, which is set to celebrate the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, will open its doors to visitors at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, on Tuesday, 25th September.

ADIHEX 2018 will be held from 25th to 29th September under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club.

The exhibition is organised by the Emirates Falconers’ Club and supported by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, International Fund for Houbara Conservation, IFHC, the Department of Culture and Tourism, DCT - Abu Dhabi, and the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, along with other local, regional and international media partners. The Higher Organising Committee of ADIHEX said, during a press conference held on 18th September, that this year’s exhibition includes a large number of exhibitors from the UAE and other nations. Participating in the exhibition will be the "Sheikh Zayed First Falconer Gallery", displaying more than 3,000 photos from the late Sheikh Zayed’s falconry hunting trips from 1976 to 2004, and were taken by photographer Mohamed Al Khalidi. The exhibition will also attract a wide range of local and foreign companies in the fields of cultural heritage, conservation, hunting and hunting equipment, tourism, safaris, weapons, falconry, equestrian, marine sports, outdoor leisure, arts, crafts and entertainment for children.

This year’s visitors can, for the first time, purchase tickets online for ADIHEX from Virgin Megastore, as well as within the store for admission to the exhibition. Also, the 16th ADIHEX consists of competitions, including the Arabian Saluki beauty shows, falcon competitions, photo galleries, as well as educational competitions designed to attract visitors and families, in addition to raffles with prizes. The event also features live performances, such as beauty shows and live shows displaying horses, K9 dogs, birds and falcons. For animal lovers and owners, there will be a camel auction, as well as a silent online auction. Additionally, there will be numerous hunting activities, such as an archery shooting range, shooting simulator, paintball target shooting range and airsoft shooting. ADIHEX 2018 has a dedicated Kids Knowledge Area, with activities such as workshops and games that are intended to spread environmental awareness among children and link them to the exhibition, with the aim of instilling in them those customs and values reflecting the nation’s heritage and history.

The children's activities have been organized in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Zayed School of Falconry and Desert Physiognomy, the Dhabian Equestrian Club, International Fund for Houbara Conservation and Al Ain Zoo. The main sponsor is His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, while the Gold sponsors are Etisalat, The National and Arabian Tents. The Silver sponsors include Wahat Al Zaweya, the Dhabian Equestrian Club, Smart Design LLC and Tiger Properties, and the Bronze sponsors are AlMoe and National Geographic.

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