King Abdulaziz festival sees significant development

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2023, which runs until Dec. 14 at the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh, has developed significantly this year — particularly the Al-Milwah competition for international falconers, which includes new rounds and an expanded pool of winners.
The total prize money on offer at the festival is more than SR33.6 million ($8.96 million), according to a press release.
The festival is accepting applications from international falconers for the qualifying rounds of the 400-meter Al-Milwah competition until Dec. 5.
Registration takes place at the SFC headquarters from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Falconry as a traditional sport has become embedded in various cultures worldwide, the result of being practiced globally for 4,000 years. It is a complex and immersive sport, yet it is not indigenous to one community, people, or territory.
In Dec. 2016, and under the Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted falconry as a living human heritage.