@hhcgovae @fazzaforum Thrilling finale brings curtain down on Fazza Championship for Falconry

Nokhbah Champions to compete again on 27 January 2014

The Fazza Championship for Falconry, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre and staged in Ruwayyah, has come to a triumphant conclusion on a finals day that saw stiff competition from contestants in eight categories reserved for the general public. This year’s event has seen new records broken for the flying speed of many falcons along with the number of falconers participating with every competitor displaying the highest levels of competition and commitment.

The Nokhbah Championship scheduled for 27 January 2014, will witness winners from the top five categories, referred to as ‘the elite’, vie for the coveted title of Nokhbah Champion. The victor will walk away with a Range Rover and a cash prize of 500,000 dirhams.

According to Souad Darwish, Director of the Fazza Championships, participation in the event this year has been overwhelming: She said: “The competition in the category of the general public just as spectacular as the competition that took place in the Sheikh’s category. The finals yesterday saw several contestants tying for both first and second place, indicative of the high level of competition and motivation driving the contestants. The birds themselves are highly skilled and obedient, as well-bred Arabian falcons should be.”

The Championships this year have also been praised for the wider publicity it has generated for the sport and for echoing the core values of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center that is committed to the ensuring the preservation of traditional Emirati activities.

Dumaithan bin Swaidan, Head of the Fazza Championship for Falconry Committee, added: “The Championship has witnessed a number of highly positive changes and ongoing development from an organisational, quality of services and time keeping point of view.

“It has also attracted a record number of international participants. We would like to congratulate participants for breaking new records and making this year’s competition more vibrant.”

Khalfan Bin Butti (participating under the name of Hamdan Jaber), was one of the most successful falconers competing and won first place in four categories and participated with 25 birds in various categories. He expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai for this initiative and said: “The Championship this year has drawn a large number contestants and fans and given the competition a new dimension. The circle of its popularity has grown locally and internationally.”

The annual Fazza Championships for Falconry were held in the Ruwayyah area of Dubai and attracted hundreds of falconers from the Emirates and across the region to compete in a wide range of different categories and have become the most successful championships to date.