Riyadh, December 7, 2024 – The fourth day of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2024, hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club, saw a remarkable display of skill and passion as 182 local amateur falconers competed in the prestigious event. Held at the club's headquarters in Malham, just north of Riyadh, this year’s festival promises to be the most lucrative yet, with prizes totaling over SAR 36 million—setting a new record for the largest prize pool in the festival's history.
The competition, which runs until December 19, has drawn falconers from across the Kingdom, eager to showcase their birds' abilities in various categories. On Friday, the local amateurs participated in six qualifying heats for the highly anticipated Al-Mellwah race, a highlight of the festival. The heats were divided into categories including Peregrine falcons (Farkh and Qarnas), Gyr Hybrid falcons (Farkh and Qarnas), and Saker falcons, each drawing significant attention due to the high level of competition.
The Peregrine (Farkh) heat saw the impressive falcon Marwan, owned by Mishal Al-Shammari, clinch first place, followed by Maayouf (Hussein Al-Hajri) in second, and 01 (Turki Abu Shuairbat) in third. In the Peregrine (Qarnas) heat, H1 (Saif Al-Buainain) emerged victorious, with Tarab (Abdulrahman Al-Fuhaigi) and Haddaj (Jaber Al-Marri) securing second and third places respectively.
The Gyr Hybrid (Farkh) category saw Mawqifah (Faisal Al-Mutairi) dominate the competition, while Al-Kaidah (Hatem Al-Mutairi) and Ghadab (Obaid Al-Otaibi) followed in second and third. In the Gyr Hybrid (Qarnas) heat, M2 (Mansour Al-Ghasham) claimed the top spot, with Sami (Turki Al-Rubaian) and Gharah (Bandar Al-Mutlaq) rounding out the top three.
The fifth heat, dedicated to Peregrine (Farkh) falcons, saw Manqoush (Mishari Al-Otaibi) finish first, with Siadah (Mishal Al-Shammari) and Shajaah (Hamad Al-Marri) taking second and third, respectively. The day concluded with the Peregrine (Qarnas) heat, where Farah (Mansour Al-Rajhi) claimed victory, followed by Baroud (Hamad Al-Marri) in second, and Shibah (Jarallah Al-Marri) in third.
As the largest falconry event in the world, the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival holds an esteemed place in the global falconry community. The event has entered the Guinness World Records three times for the number of falcons participating, solidifying its status as a key cultural and competitive gathering. This year’s festival brings together both elite local and international falconers, uniting them in their shared passion for preserving the ancient tradition of falconry while fostering healthy competition.
The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is not just a celebration of falconry but a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and ensuring its sustainability for future generations. With each passing year, the event continues to grow in both prestige and influence, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's leading role in the world of falconry. The competition and cultural exchange at the festival are helping to ensure that falconry remains an integral part of the Kingdom’s heritage and continues to thrive well into the future.