RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club is organizing the Al-Mellwah race from Oct. 7 to 12 at its headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh.
This event aims to preserve falconry heritage for future generations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In the race, falcons will compete to cover 200 meters in the shortest time to qualify for the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival.
This year’s race will feature a category for young falcons, or “farkh,” including hur, shaheen, gyr pure, gyr shaheen, gyr taba, and mathlooth gyr.
A total of SR750,000 ($200,000) in prizes will be awarded to 18 winners in each of the six rounds.
Club spokesperson Walid Al-Taweel noted that the Al-Mellwah race will coincide with the International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, starting on Oct. 3, featuring over 400 exhibitors from 45 countries.
Two Saudi royal reserves will also participate in the exhibition, which will run until Oct. 12 in Malham.
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority’s pavilion will showcase various ecotourism projects and significant historical sites, including the King Abdulaziz Palace and the Laynah heritage market. It will also present information on the Shamal Reserve for Sustainable Hunting, including types of prey and permitted hunting methods.
The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority’s pavilion will highlight the reserve’s natural and historical components, biodiversity, initiatives, and achievements in line with the environmental objectives of Vision 2030.
The authority aims to raise awareness about preserving natural resources for future generations and emphasizes community involvement in environmental protection initiatives.
