14 Dec, 2022

–  Ahmed bin Mohammed elected as Chairman of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing

The International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing today held its first meeting at the Etihad Museum, during which it announced the election of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Falcons Federation, as Chairman of the International Federation.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 11 countries, including the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Tanzania, Uzbekistan and Argentina. During the meeting, the attendees praised the UAE’s contributions to preserving and developing the sport of falconry.

The International Federation was established as an independent international sports entity following directives by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The entity, which will support all sports related to falcon racing, is permanently headquartered in the UAE.

In his speech, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed thanked international sports organisations for their trust, which he said reflects the UAE’s achievements in the heritage sector under the guidance of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The country’s leadership is committed to preserving the UAE’s heritage and places it at the top of its priorities, His Highness said.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed congratulated the leadership on the establishment of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing under the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. The Federation will support the practice of this sport globally in an organised manner, observing sporting values and rules and regulations of the game, he said.

His Highness added that the Federation would work with national falconry entities from around the world to exchange knowledge and expertise while welcoming feedback to support the sport. Members of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing thanked HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed and lauded the UAE’s efforts to promote falconry as one of the key heritage sports in the world.

During the meeting, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the UAE Falcons Federation, was named as Vice Chairman of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing. Meanwhile, Rashid Mubarak bin Markhan, Secretary General of the UAE Falcons Federation, was elected as the Secretary General of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing.

The Board of Directors of the Federation was asked to prepare an action plan and reach out to all relevant entities worldwide to promote the international federation in the next phase.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan honoured the top three winners in the UAE Falcons Federation Cup for falcon races in the categories: Sheikhs, Open Public, and Owners. Dumaithan Suwaidan Saeed Al Qamzi was also honoured in recognition of his efforts for chairing the organising committees of the Fazza Championships for Falconry since 2003.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of the General Authority of Sports and First Deputy President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Emirates Falconers’ Club.