Doha, 28 January 2024 - The 15th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2024) wrapped up with a ceremony honoring the winners in the Al Mazayen championship that took place at the Katara Cultural Village Foundation.
A lineup of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions to Qatar, and the board of directors of the Qatari Society of AlGannas, in addition to falconers from Qatar and the countries of the Arabian Gulf attended the ceremony.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, patron of the festival, crowned the winners of the Al Mazayen Championship, one of various Marmi competitions.
Last Thursday, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani also honored the winners of the rest of the Marmi 2024 competitions at Sabkhat Marmi in Mesaieed (Sealine).
In the al hur and wahsh (white and blond) category, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Thani won both the 1st place and 2nd place prizes of QR 700,000 and QR 500,000 respectively, whereas Sheikh Ahmed bin Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Thani came in 3rd place with a prize of QR 300,000.
As for the al hur, wahsh (black), and al adham category, the 1st place prize of QR 400,000 went to Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Thani, the 2nd place prize of QR 300,000 was won by Hamad Ali Al Mahashadi, whereas the 3rd place prize of QR 200,000 went to Saad Issa Al Kaabi.
Chairman of the Mazayen Committee at Marmi 2024 Abdullah bin Hamad Al Mahashadi told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this year's competition was tough, as the competing falcons had very similar aesthetic specifications, with each one of them having distinct advantages and features, which posed a challenge to the jury.
HE Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani said that the Marmi Festival is proof of the State of Qatar's interest and continued success in the sports sector, including traditional sports that preserve the heritage of the forefathers who had this hobby.
In turn, chairman of the Marmi Festival Committee Miteb Mubarak Al Qahtani praised the sponsorship of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani of the festival, the unlimited support His Excellency provides the festival with annually, the interest of His Excellency in Qatari heritage, in addition to HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani's honoring of Marmi competition winners.
