Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) to begin on January 1

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) will launch its 16th edition on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Organized by the Qatari Al-Qannas Association, the festival will run until February 1, 2025, at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine. It is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam).

Mutab Al Qahtani, chairman of the Marmi Festival, announced that this year's event will commence with the ‘Haddad Al-Tahadi’ championship, a competition specifically for falcon chicks. The challenge involves releasing a carrier pigeon and a falcon simultaneously. If the falcon successfully captures or traps the pigeon in a designated area, it wins a prize of QR100,000 and qualifies for the final round, where contestants will compete for a Lexus car.

Additionally, the Hoopoe Championship will take place over three days from Wednesday to Friday, with one group competing each day. The Saluki Racing Championship qualifiers are scheduled for Saturday, January 4.

The Tal’a Championship will start on Sunday, January 5, for groups 1 to 5. This competition tests the falcon’s exceptional eyesight, as a Houbara bustard is placed two kilometers away from the falcon’s starting point. The falcon that spots, takes off first, and successfully hunts the prey qualifies for the next stage.