International federation for falconry sports, racing formed

DUBAI: In line with the vision and directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate the UAE’S status in all fields globally, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, directed to establish the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing as an independent international sports entity. The entity, which will support all sports related to falcon racing, will be permanently headquartered in the UAE.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE Falcons Federation and President of the UAE National Olympic Commitee, lauded the move, which he said forms part of the wise leadership’s vision towards sustaining falcon sports and racing. Sheikh Ahmed noted that this pioneering step would be critical to promoting these games to be listed as international sports.

Sheikh Ahmed said that “the continued support of our wise leadership for falconry and everything related to its cultural heritage means we’d continue to hit new milestones in promoting the sport. The Federation will help showcase the sport to the world, consolidating its role in bonding between nations and upholding honour and pride among those practising it.”

Sheikh Ahmed added that the establishment of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing aims to support the practice of this sport globally in an organised manner, observing sporting values and rules and regulations of the game. The Federation, he said, would be the first reference for these races, contributing to the preservation and sustainability of the traditional sport of falconry. Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the UAE Falcons Federation, noted that this step was aimed at laying new foundations to elevate the status of this sport to a global level, reflecting its increasing popularity, and the leadership’s interest in enhancing its presence in national and international sports forums.