Ammon News - The fifth edition of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, held under the title: (Renewed Legacy), has succeeded since its launch in reviving falconry and its legacy in the Gulf region and in the world. Its competitions, which took place from November 28 to mid-December, have gathered 2,256 falconers from 12 countries around the world, including female falconers for the first time ever.

The prizes, which included 30 million Saudi riyals (about 8 million US dollars) and the King Abdulaziz Sword Award, were presented to a total of 650 winners at the conclusion of the competitions, in the presence and patronage of the Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Falcons Club (SFC), His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, who honored the winners of the competitions and the sponsors of the festival after the final rounds.

This edition of the festival was also marked by the participation of the British Vowley Racing team for the first time outside the United Kingdom, with 20 falcons from the five best British teams. A hunting competition was organised alongside with the activities accompanying the festival, using hunting planes designed in the form of prey to display the skills of falcons in offering Electronic preys.

The CEO of the Saudi Falcon Club, Mr. Hussam bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Huzimi, confirmed that the King Abdulaziz Falcons Festival, organized by the Saudi Falcon Club, chosen theme is “A Legacy Renewed”, for the great and meaningful elements of authenticity it conveys and is passed onto the next generations. AL-Huzimi highlighted that organizing and sponsoring such great and unique events like King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival enriches the falconer ’experiences and results in achieving many gains, which helps the club move forward with future successes. However, this would not have been possible without relying on the support and determination of the wise leadership in our human and cultural heritage as well as and careful supervision and follow-up from His Highness the Minister of Interior, Chairman of the Saudi Falcon Club.

The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club also stated that this year’s festival, including the competitions and previous exhibition and Falcon auction, has played a major role in the success of making the Falcons’ events become a major destination for thousands of local, Gulf and international diplomat and tourist visitors. Such a great turnout confirms the success in achieving the aim of the festival in conveying the message of authentic heritage to all parts of the world.

He said: "Certainly, each and every individual in this edifice feels the national responsibility to participate in achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and its objectives in promoting and developing of the cultural and civilizational heritage of Saudi Arabia and beyond, and the foundations of which were laid by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, general supervisor of the club.

The CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club concluded: "We are the sons of this great nation, we will not hesitate to preserve our historical legacies. Rather, it is our national and moral duty that obligates us to pass on these great gains to future generations to gain their love and interest towards their country’s heritage and historical legacies. These two elements are core fundamentals that shape communities and their individuals and dignify them amongst other nations."

It is noteworthy here that the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival has broken the record twice for the largest gathering of falcons in the world, with more than 4,000 falcons in its previous editions according to the British Guinness Book of Records. The festival, organized by the Saudi Falcons Club (SFC), and established by royal order in 2017, and supervised by His Royal Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Falcons Club (SFC), aims to gather falconers under one association.

The club main goal is to works on cultural development and publicizing Saudi heritage, through activities, events, festivals and auctions that preserve the hobby of falconry, and establish cultural, environmental and economic values and concepts. This goal comes in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, in enhancing the quality of the environment and wildlife in the Kingdom, protecting falcons, reviving the hobbies associated with them, and transferring this authentic Arab hobby to future generations.