Sealine: HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners of the championships of the 17th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival, Marmi 2026, during a ceremony held today at the festival venue in Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine, following the conclusion of the field competitions and the final round of the Haded Al-Tahaddi Championship, which featured 27 qualified participants.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ceremony began with HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, patron of the Marmi Festival, honoring Yousuf Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director of the Shared Services Department at the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam). The highlight of the event was the crowning of the grand prize winners of the Haded Al-Tahaddi final, with Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi of the UAE and Nasser Saeed Al Marri of Qatar each receiving a Lexus vehicle.
Additionally, Mohammed Jarrallah Al Nabet of Qatar and Team Al Shamsi of the UAE were crowned winners of the Haded Al-Tahaddi final, each receiving an additional cash prize of QAR 100,000, mirroring the amount they earned during the preliminary rounds. In the Tal'a Championship, Ali Hassan Al Saei took first place, receiving a cash prize of QAR 300,000, while the second and third places were withheld due to unsuccessful hunts.
In the Local Da'w Championship, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned winners across seven categories, with notable achievements in the "Free Farakh," "Qarnass Jir," and "Qarnass Jir Shaheen" categories. First-place winners in these rounds received QAR 200,000, second-place winners QAR 100,000, and third-place winners QAR 50,000.
The International Da'w Championship saw top honors in four categories, with Suhail Saeed Al Kindi dominating several categories. First-place winners received QAR 100,000, second-place winners QAR 70,000, and third-place winners QAR 50,000. In the Elite Da'w Round, Team Al Zam secured first place, earning QAR 300,000, followed by Abdullah Saeed Al Marri and Team Al Sheehaniya.
The ceremony also celebrated the Promising Falconer Championship winners and the Saluki Racing Championship victors, with cash prizes ranging across categories. Chairman Muteb bin Mubarak Al Qahtani praised Sheikh Joaan's support and highlighted the festival's organizational success, inviting the public to attend the closing Mazayin Championship at Katara.
The Mazayin Championship is expected to see wide participation, focusing on falcon aesthetics and authentic physical traits. Participants emphasize meticulous preparation for this prestigious event, with falconers like Saad Issa Al Kaabi and Saleh Ali Al Adhba sharing insights on their dedication and effort in preparing falcons for competition.
As the festival concludes, participants and organizers look forward to future editions, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of falconry. The final event, the Mazayin Championship, will be held tomorrow at the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, marking the end of the Marmi 2026 festival.