The 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) is underway at Marmi Sabkha in Sealine, with qualifying rounds completed for several falconry championships. Twenty falconers have advanced to the finals in the Gyrfalcon Gyrfalcon and Gyrfalcon Shaheen categories, showcasing the skill of both handler and bird. The festival, which began recently, is scheduled to continue through January 24th and draws participants from across the region.
Marmi 2026: Falconry Competition Heats Up
Yesterday’s competitions focused on the Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon categories, known for their speed and agility. Approximately 50 falcons competed in each category, demonstrating a high level of participation and interest in the traditional sport. The event is held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and receives support from the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund “Daam”.
Qualifying Results
Ten falconers successfully qualified in the Gyrfalcon category: Hamad Abdullah Al Arjani, Mashoum Ali Mohammed Al Nabti, Hamad Abdulhadi bin Nayfa (with two qualifying falcons), Team Lafan, Team Al Zam (also with two falcons), Team Lusail, Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi, and Abdullah Amer Al Kaabi. These competitors demonstrated exceptional control and the speed of their birds.
The Qarnas Shaheen category saw similar competitive spirit, with Abdullah Saeed Al-Marri (qualifying two falcons), Jassim Fahad Al-Kuwari, Muhanna Mohammed Al-Dosari (with two falcons), Team Elzam, Abdullah Amer Al-Kaabi, Mohammed Khabab Al-Nuaimi (two falcons), and Saeed Khalid Al-Nuaimi securing their places in the final round. This highlights the growing strength of locally bred falcons.
Challenging Conditions and Close Races
Hamad Saleh Al Masoud, head of the Al Da’aw Championship, noted the challenging weather conditions during the qualifying rounds. Despite wind speeds that occasionally affected flight paths, the falcons largely maintained their course towards the lure. The competition was particularly intense, with minimal separation between the top contenders.
The difference between the fastest and slowest qualifying times in the Gyrfalcon category was less than a second, with the top qualifier achieving a time of 20.186 seconds and the tenth-place finisher clocking in at 21.74 seconds. This narrow margin underscores the high skill level of the falconers and the quality of the birds. Similarly, the Peregrine Falcon category saw a difference of only around three seconds between the first and tenth-place finishers.
Participants have expressed appreciation for the festival’s diverse range of competitions, particularly those focused on lure-flying. The opportunity to showcase locally bred falcons is also a significant draw, with falconers praising the excellence of Qatari birds in the hunting tradition. The festival serves as a vital platform for preserving and promoting this cultural heritage. Qatar’s commitment to falconry is evident in the scale and organization of Marmi 2026.
The next stage of the festival will feature further qualifying rounds in other traditional sports, including archery and hunting dog competitions. Organizers will continue to monitor weather conditions, which could impact the schedule. The final results and any potential adjustments to the competition format will be announced as the festival progresses, and observers will be watching to see if any new records are set in the sport of falconry.
