German Vet shows How Women Are a Force to Be Reckoned with in 2nd edition of Fazza Championship for Falconry
Dr. Maryam Hampel Shines in Her Adopted Traditional Arabian Sport
The world of Arabian Falconry is typically one that is highly male dominated and is usually exclusive to nationals from the Arab states. But German veterinarian Dr. Maryam Hampel is bucking the trend on both counts as a woman expatriate who has for the past decade been actively racing falcons.
This is her 8th time to compete in the Fazza Championship for Falconry with the second edition of the championships now under way under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
And she was also delighted to have scored her fastest ever time for her young Gyr Falcon who recorded a time of just 23 seconds competing alongside falconers from the UAE and the region in challenging partly windy conditions at the Championship site in Al Ruwayyah.
This latest edition of the Championship has already witnessed participation from no less than 1000 falconers all eager for their falcons to cover the distance to the prey in the quickest amount of time.
Commenting on her participation Dr. Maryam Hampel said: “I am enormously passionate about birds of prey, particularly falcons because they are very regal birds. I feel very privileged to be able to both tend to them in my role as a veterinarian and then watch them compete in a Championship like this.
“I have been participating in the Fazza Championships for the past eight years, but have not had too much success. My score of 23 seconds this year was my best to date and very encouraging and has given me confidence to do better next time.”
Over the past decade Dr. Hampel says she has loved becoming immersed in traditional Emirati culture and has applauded the efforts of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and the Fazza Championships to encourage traditional Arabian sports and revive Emirati heritage.
She added: “The stature and organisation of the competition has grown enormously since its inception and is both exciting and at times a little intimidating for me to compete alongside such experienced falconers, but I am very happy to be in the company of these exotic birds and such great talent.”
Souad Darwish, Director of the Fazza Championship added: “The Fazza Championships has attracted a mix of amateurs and professionals from all over the GCC. Occasionally, we have seen some European participation and we are very proud that a falconer like Dr. Hampel has shown continued interest in this sport.
“The Fazza Championships have always encouraged participation from a cross section of people and we are happy that it continues to be a level playing field.”
The first edition of the Fazza Championship for Falconry commenced in December 2013 in Ruwayyah and culminated in the Nokhbah Championship in January 2014 which saw winners walk away with luxury cars and cash prizes of AED 500,000.
The Championships attracted 2,500 falconers from the Emirates and across the GCC who competed in a wide range of different categories helping them to become the most successful championships to date.
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