@hhcgovae @fazzaforum Fazza Championships for Falconry Kicks Off with RC Airplane Speed Race and Other Four Categories

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center receives a huge number of participants

The Fazza Championships for Falconry, organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, kicked off their 31^st December races with the Airplane Category, for the general public. Due to the large number of participants taking part in this category the organizers spread the championship over the 1^st January 2014. Over 100 people took part in the Airplane category, in addition to the people taking part in the other events of that day, adding to the highly competitive atmosphere. The general public had  four categories taking place on the 1^st January – Pure Gyr (young), Pure Gyr (Older), Garmousha (young), Garmousha (older).

Growth in Participant Numbers

“This season has attracted an increased number of participants. This is the reason we have had to split the championship up in to two days. The other qualifying rounds witnessed the same competitive spirit among contestants. We are pleased with the remarkable growth and the way which the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center has been able to enhance the revival of national traditions. There has been a lot of work put in to support one of the most historically and cultural important sports in the region. What we have witnessed has been great over this Falconry championship. We look to making the Fazza Championships for Falconry a world class championship. We want the outside world to see the pride and love we have for our country and traditions.” said Dumaithan Bin Swaidan – Head of Committee

History of Falconry for Sport

With the discovery of oil there has been a rapid change in the traditional way of living in the Arabian Peninsula and Middle East. In spite of the external influences many of the Bedouin lifestyles and cultural activities have remained the same. One of these activities is the great sport of Falconry. This sport was practiced way before the dawn of Islam and played a major role in Arab history. During the migration of the Falcons, at the end of autumn, Arabs would devote their time to capturing the fastest and strongest for the hunting seasons.

Today, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center is organizing the Fazza Championship of Falconry to preserve the legacy of this noble sport. The market for falcons, in Nad Al Sheba, has seen a huge increase in the past few years due to the revival of the sport of Falconry. Thanks to the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, the cash prizes on offer during the Fazza Championship for Falconry have kept interest in the sport alive.