The falconry competition, as part of the Al Dhafra Festival, attracted great interest from falcon owners and their handlers in a traditional atmosphere that reflects the ancient importance of falconry in Emirati culture. The competition, organized in cooperation with the Al Marzoom Hunting Reserve, features three categories: pure Shaheen, pure Jer, and pure Kermoocha. The first-place winner in each category receives 75,000 dirhams, the second place 50,000 dirhams, and the third place 25,000 dirhams. Participants competed in different categories, and the falcons underwent a rigorous evaluation by a specialized judging committee that used clear criteria to determine the top three winners. Obaid Khalaf Al Mazroui, Executive Director of the Festivals and Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, honored the winners in the presence of officials, falconers, and enthusiasts of traditional competitions. The falconry competition serves as an important platform for falconers to exchange experiences, helping to preserve this authentic heritage and pass it on to new generations. The event drew a significant crowd of festival visitors who followed the judging details and learned about different falcon species and their characteristics. This scene embodies the deep connection between Emirati society and falconry, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Al Dhafra Festival continues to offer a variety of competitions and traditional events aimed at reviving folk heritage and enhancing national identity, having recently concluded the 'Ans al-Qawd' competitions that showcased the strength and rivalry among participants.
