DOHA: Al Galayel Championship for Traditional Hunting is a venue to celebrate common culture and tradition GCC citizens share, say competitors.
“The good thing about this event is it gathers GCC citizens to share experiences about our ancestors’ culture and tradition. Win or lose, what is important is we are trying to fulfil a long-term aim to maintain our culture and tradition,” said Badr Rashid Al Mansouri, an Emirati member of Mekaines team in second place in the ongoing fourth heat.
Friday was the second day of the four-day competition for the fourth group and ended on a high note for Al Jaryan team maintaining lead with 310 points on hunting seven habaris and one antelope. Mekaines garnered 140 points and Fashakh team 120.
Al Mansouri said he valued his participation as it was a new and exciting experience, for this was his first time to hunt in traditional way.
Mohammed Ali Al Kaabi, leader of Mekaines, said, “Our aim is to learn the tradition and culture of our ancestors and pass them on to the next generation.”
Jassim Al Kaabi, Al Jaryan leader, praised their teamwork which yielded good results because of traditional hunting experience of members, including a Saudi.
“We have a team member from Saudi Arabia and I consider him important because the championship has gathered people from all GCC countries because our heritage and culture are similar which makes it easy for everyone to take part,” he said.
Having watched the first three heats of the competition, he said the three teams in the fourth group are very competitive.
“All teams in the fourth group have experience in traditional hunting because I know the members have participated before. All our team members are raring to win,” he added.
Hamad Al Hasbah of Mekaines team said “Al Galayel is not anymore a Qatari but GCC Championship, gradually becoming international.”
On its fourth edition, the annual championship at Al Areeq Reserve south of Qatar is considered one of the most important tournaments of its kind in the world. The Peninsula
