Al-Talaa Championship Committee officials honouring the winner along with other visitors.
Doha, Qatar: The final of the Al-Talaa Championship at the 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) was held yesterday. One of the falconers won first place, while others failed to secure a spot due to the inability to hunt or successfully land their birds.
The festival is held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund “Daam” at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine. It continues until Januaray 24.
The final of the Al-Talaa Championship was held between five falconers: Abdulhadi Jaber Hussein, Ali Hassan Al-Saai (two falcons), Abdulhadi Obaid Al-Marri, and Shaheen Salem Al-Dosari. Ali Hassan Al-Saai emerged victorious, securing first place. Second and third place were withheld as the other competing falcons were unable to successfully land and hunt.
Head of the Al-Talaa Championship Committee at the Marmi Festival Ali Ayash Al-Mansouri congratulated the winner and wished everyone success in the next edition of the championship.
He stressed that the championship is one of the most important events of the Marmi Festival, reflecting the festival’s philosophy of preserving Qatari heritage and reconnecting falconers with the way of life of their forefathers, when hunting was an integral part of their lives and livelihoods, and the falcon was a constant companion to the desert dwellers.
Ali Hassan Al-Saai, the winner, expressed his delight at the result, which crowned his efforts throughout the tournament leading up to the final.
Al-Saai thanked the organizing committee of the Marmi Festival, affirming that the festival has become an important annual event for falconers, who eagerly anticipate it due to the variety of its competitions.
