DOHA: Falcons competing at Hudud Al Tahaddi Challenge at this year’s Qatar Falcons and Hunting Festival are better trained than in the previous edition, say organisers.
Speaking at the conclusion of the seventh round of the challenge yesterday at Sabkat Marmi, Sealine, Seif bin Said Al Nuaimi, Head, Organising Committee, praised the performance of the competing falcons.
“The falcons that have participated in the challenge so far are better prepared and trained than ever before, which shows the level of commitment of the falconers who have signed up this year,” he said.
The seventh round, however, ended with the triumph of the homing pigeons which out-manoeuvred the falcons trying to corner them in their flight toward Umm Abirieh, north of Doha.
Hudud Al Tahaddi is a competition in which falcons seek to obstruct the flight of homing pigeons especially trained to fly away and cause them to land.
On the logistical aspects of the challenge, Al Nuaimi said, “Each competitor chooses a homing pigeon for their falcon to challenge by way of a draw, so the selection is random.
“The morning period is the most suitable for the falcons because the homing pigeons avoid flying too high due to the clouds which cover up the sun. This, however, does not guarantee that the falcons will prevail,” he said on optimal conditions for the challenge.
The Peninsula
