Participants and visitors during the festival.
Doha, Qatar: The 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) is set to host the final of the Al-Talaa Championship today, featuring five falconers who successfully advanced from the semi-final round.
The festival is held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund “Daam” at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine. It will continue until the 24th of this month.
The final of the Al-Talaa Championship will be contested by five falconers: Abdulhadi Jaber Hussein, Ali Hassan Al-Saai (two falcons), Abdulhadi Obaid Al-Marri, and Shaheen Salem Al-Dosari. These five qualified from the semi-finals held yesterday morning, Sunday, where 20 falconers competed in five groups.
Head of the Al-Talaa Championship Committee at the Marmi Festival Ali Ayash Al-Mansouri stated that the semi-finals witnessed fierce competition among 20 falcons known for their strength and performance. Therefore, only the elite falcons have qualified for the final. The strength of the qualified falcons was evident in their release times, ranging from 15 seconds for Abdulhadi Obaid Al-Marri’s falcon to 1 minute and 21 seconds for Ali Hassan Al-Saai’s. The falcons’ swift release and successful sighting of the houbara bustard demonstrated their power and excellent training. The results will be announced today, determining the top three positions among the five qualifiers.
Al-Mansouri expressed his best wishes to all the qualifiers and thanked all the participants in the semi-finals for their outstanding performances, even if they didn’t ultimately qualify. He emphasized their contribution to the overall success of the championship and the Marmi Festival.
Several falconers who qualified for the final, along with others, expressed their pride in the championship’s results, affirming that the strongest falcons always prevail. They also praised the Marmi Festival’s efforts in promoting falconry, noting that the Al-Tala’a Championship connects them to the heritage of their forefathers.
Shaheen Salem Al-Dosari, who qualified for the Al-Talaa final, said, “I am delighted to have reached the Al-Talaa final,” praising the organisation, starting with the choice of the field, which resembles a hunting ground. He added, “The championship truly transports us to the life of a falconer, and we thank the Marmi Festival management for their role in preserving this heritage.”
Al-Dosari confirmed that he is preparing to reach the podium this year after a two-year absence, having won the championship more than once, which strengthens his resolve to return to the winner’s podium once again.
For his part, Ali Hassan Al-Saai, who also qualified for the Al-Talaa final, said he was happy that his two falcons had reached the final, expressing his hope to win among the top positions in the championship, God willing. He noted his readiness to compete strongly during the final stage of the championship.
