Shield for National Falcons Breeding Championship concludes in Dubai

DUBAI, 16th February, 2023 (WAM) – Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Falcons Federation, the second edition of the Shield for National Falcons Breeding Championship for the 2022-2023 sports season concluded today at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah fields.

The championship was organised by the UAE Falcons Federation in cooperation with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre and featured three races each in three categories: Sheikhs, the public and owners. A total of AED800,000 in prize money was awarded to the 30 winners across the three categories.

The championship, which was open to falcons bred in the UAE, saw a significant increase in participation this year, with over 60 falcons competing, 38 more than last year. The participants included 4 breeding centres and 12 individual breeders.

The locally-bred falcons in all three categories demonstrated remarkable speed and performance, with the top falcons recognised and celebrated for their exceptional abilities and impressive times. In the Sheikhs category, the top prize was awarded to ‘12,’ a falcon owned by F3, which clocked in a record time of 17.379 seconds. The public category was won by the Dubai team with a time of 17.539 seconds, while Saif Ghanem Hassan Al-Abd Al Ali claimed the top spot in the owners category with a time of 17.565 seconds.

The second edition of the championship placed a strong emphasis on promoting sustainability and preserving the environment, aligning with the UAE Falcons Federation’s initiatives and strategies to meet performance standards related to national breeding quality. The Federation aims to enhance falcon breeds and increase their population, positioning the country as a top destination for falcon breeding and a competitive center among the world’s largest breeding farms.

As part of its commitment to promoting falcon racing and preserving the traditional sport, the Federation has approved an initiative for the Best Falcons Breeding award, recognizing individual falcon breeders and breeding centers in the country. This initiative aims to encourage continued support for the spread of traditional falconry and the sport’s progress at the national and regional levels while promoting the sustainability of falcons, the environment, and the preservation of resources. Breeders will be honoured at the end of the season based on the points calculation for the Best Falcons Breeding award for breeding centers and individual breeders.