Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
After three days of fierce aerial racing, the winners in the falconry competitions were crowned at the Liwa International Festival 2026.
The sixth day of the festival, being held in Al Dhafra until January 3, witnessed high levels of skill in all racing categories.
In the Gyrfalcon Pure – Professional Gyrfalcon category, falcon G2, owned by Saleh Al-Alili, won first place in a time of 16.171 seconds.
Falcon G7, also owned by Al-Alili, came second in a time of 16.203 seconds, and falcon R68, owned by Team Dubai, finished third with a time of 16.315 seconds.
In the Gyrfalcon category (Professional Gyrfalcons), the T1 falcon, owned by Saif Al Falasi, secured first place with a time of 16.088 seconds. Second place went to the S1 falcon, owned by Tariq Sultan, in a time of 16.234 seconds, while the Khatir falcon, owned by Butti Khalfan Al Qubaisi, finished third with a time of 16.244 seconds.
The races concluded with the crowning of the winners in the presence of Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Liwa Sports Club, and Butti Hamad Al Qubaisi, a member of the racing organising committee.
Abdullah Al Qubaisi told Aletihad that the falcon races at the festival showed an exceptional degree of preparedness and competition among the participants, demonstrating the passion of this heritage sport.
He noted that the times achieved highlight both the organisation’s efficacy and the races’ ongoing improvement.
According to Al Qubaisi, these events are essential for preserving traditional sports and fostering a closer bond between newer generations and the rich cultural legacy of the UAE.
