Al-Talaa Championship qualifying rounds kick off at Marmi 2026

Doha, Qatar: The qualifying rounds of the Al Talaa Championship, part of the 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026), bega...

Doha, Qatar: The qualifying rounds of the Al-Talaa Championship, part of the 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026), began on Friday, January 2, 2026.

The festival, held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund “Daam,” is taking place at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine and will continue until the 24th of this month.

Early in the morning, under ideal conditions with clear visibility, the Al-Talaa falconers entered the qualifying rounds in their championship, divided into groups 1 through 5. Four falconers qualified for the next rounds.

The four qualifiers were: Nawaf Nasser Al Shafi, Team Barzan (Saqran), and Team Al Majd.

The fourth group was a nail-biter, as each time a falcon from one of the participants took flight, it was disqualified for failing to spot the houbara bustard.