HeriTage Through sporTs
or greyhounds, were mainly used to hunt down gazelles. They can be spotted in popular heritage saluki races and annual saluki beauty contests. Shooting saktoun rifle The or Brno rifle, is traditional weaponry that was used by tribesmen during war, and for fishing and hunting. Falconry Known as in Arabic, this is a favourite among the UAE royalty. Falcons race after competing rigorous training, and are drawn to the finish line with baits such as chicken, turkey, and pigeon wings. The Arabic word for falcon is Saqr and the trainer is known as Saqqar. Pearl Diving or Freediving The thousand-year-old heritage sport saw pearl divers plunge into the depths of the water to retrieve oyster shells. Pearl divers dove for 90 seconds, 40 metres deep, and typically 30 times in a day. Dhow sailing A first-of-its kind boat race was conducted by the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club earlier this year. A dhow is a sailing craft that is comprised of one or more masts. Camel Polo In this unconventional spin on the traditional sport, a trainer accompanies each camel on foot and assists the camel with a lead rein. The trainer steers the camel and the player’s task is to hit the ball while sitting behind the hump. This sport is open to those 16 years and older. Horseback riding and whispering The region boasts a rich equine heritage. Every year, the UAE’s passion for horse riding, racing, and whispering (the use of body language to tame and train a horse) is on display at the Dubai World Cup. These heritage sports are kept alive with the annual Fazza Heritage Championships that include categories like falconry, freediving, saluki and shooting saktoun rifle among others.