Category: Press Release

Dubai, March 5, 2022: Awad Al-Amiri displayed his skills and determination as he proved why he is the best to lift this year’s Fazza Gold Cup at the 22nd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 17th edition of Al Meydan Program, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) in Dubai.

The final episode in the search for the Meydan Grand Knight was held on Friday night at Dubai Camel Racing Club’s Al Marmoom Race Track that was full of excitement as Al-Amiri’s victory over Fayadh Al Ameri came only in the final minute.

Awad and Fayadh, who are both from Al Ain, fought toe-to-toe, displaying their skills in various heritage sports. Fayadh first dominated the swimming competition held early in the week at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Sports Complex, where he obtained 10 points. Fayadh also won the Saktoun rifle shooting and added 15 more makers to wind up with 45 points, after racking up 20 points in the camel race.

But Awad showed his composure on the final night and came up with strong performance in the main Youlah competition to get a huge 25 points and another 10 points for his mastery in the Arabic poetry recitation. After adding the 20 points in the horse race, Awad ended up with 55 points, enough for him to bag the title and be hailed as the Meydan Grand Knight.

Fazza Gold Cup

In front of an excited crowd, Awad received the Fazza Gold Cup from His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of HHC. Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships, was also present on Friday, during the coronation night that was broadcast live over Al Oula 107.4 FM Radio and Sama Dubai TV and posted on HHC social media platforms.

During the awarding, Ibn Dalmouk thanked the wise leadership of Dubai, and specifically His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for their enduring support to the promotion of heritage sports in the UAE. 

The HHC CEO also thanked all the stakeholders and partners who contributed to the success of the championship that only grows bigger and stronger year after year. 

The closing episode was also graced by renowned artists, poets and performers. Ahlam Al Shamsi performed the song “Shams Dubai” dedicated to the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai – Her Highness Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. The words lyrics were written by Ibn Dalmouk and the music composed by Ahmed Al-Harmi.

Aida Al-Menhali also performed the song “The Impossible”, which was written by Muhammad Al-Murr Bel-Abd, and composed by Fayez Al-Saeed. Poet Saif Al Saadi recited the most beautiful words and verses dedicated to “Fazza” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Meanwhile, Majed Al-Ghafli received the ‘Yuweel Award’, for his best display of sportsmanship during the entire competiton. 

Dubai, 3 March 2022:  Excitement is rising as the final round of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting draws near. A total of 56 teams and 112 shooters are aiming for the the top prize at the annual heritage sport organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area.

The last qualifying round in the Men’s Open category will be held onFriday, March 4, and the championship event will be on Saturday, March 5.

Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Tournament Organizing Committee, earlier said this year’s edition of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting  has recorded the most number of participants, with more than 2,000 male and female shooters competing in the five categories:  Men’s Open; Women’s; Juniors (Boys) Juniors (Girls), and Shooting Plates.

The Men’s Doubles in the Shooting Plates category will have 56 teams or 112 shooters divided into 7 groups, with 8 teams in each group. 

The first group includes Matar Al-Laili and Hamdan Juma’a against Hussain Al-Hadrami and Ahmed Al-Hadhrami; Younis Al-Siyabi and Auf Khasib against Sultan Saleh and Abdullah bin Dalmouk; Majed Al-Salmi and Hazaa Salem against Rashid Khamis and Rashid Al Badi; Salem Saeed and Ghaith Saeed against Ali Al Mazrouei and Ali Al Derei.

The second group will see Saeed Al-Qaydi and Muhammad Al-Qaydi against Khaled Al-Kalbani and Muhammad Al-Kalbani; Ghaleb Al-Harassi and Musa Al-Salami against Jassem Al-Mashali and Fahd Al-Farsi; Walid Salem and Saeed Al-Kalbani against Muhanna Al-Maamari and Ali Al-Maamari; Mohsen Al-Kalbani and Abdul Rahman Abdullah against Hammoud Al-Siyabi and Nasser Seif.

In the third group, Nouman Al-Darai and Jassem Al-Mashali will go against Suleiman Al-Awfi and Khasib bin Khalfan; Saqr Muhammad Fahm and Saeed Al-Kaabi against Mahmoud Al-Toobi and Sakhr Al-Toobi; Hilal Saeed and Saif Hammoud against Ahmed Mansour and Hussein Al-Jabri; Hamad Al-Kaabi and Muhammad Al-Kaabi against Ahmed Al-Kaabi and Muhammad Al-Kaabi.

Fourth group will have Hamid Al-Maamari and Omar Al-Maamari against Khalifa Al-Kalbani and Hussein Al-Kalbani; Majid Saeed and Asad Ali against Rashid Al-Yamahi and Muhammad Al-Jabri; Badr Al-Siyabi and Khamis Al-Siyabi against Asaad Al-Maamari and Youssef Bashir; Asaad Rashid and Salem Saeed against Hazza Al-Kalbani and Ibrahim Ali.

In the fifth group, Sultan Al-Siyabi and Muhammad Al-Siyabi will be pitted against Saleh Al-Shabibi and Badr Al-Habsi; Younis Al-Hadrami and Mamoun Al-Hadhrami against Radwan Suleiman and Suhail Khalfan; Sultan bin Khalfan and Ali Al-Maamari against Saeed Fahm and Ayesh Al-Qaydi; Salem Al-Derai and Mahmoud Al-Dari against Suleiman Al-Shakili and Mahmoud bin Awad.

The sixth group will have Qahtan Al-Siyabi and Nasser Al-Siyabi against Yahya Al-Siyabi and Mana Saeed; Abdullah Salem and Hamed Abdullah against Hisham Khalfan and Hashem Khalfan; Abdullah Hamad and Salem bin Saeed against Salem Seif and Abdullah Juma; Jacob Al-Siyabi and Sultan Ahmed against Ali Al-Farsi and Saif Al-Farsi.

Last group will see Khaled Al-Siyabi and Amer Al-Siyabi against Hamid Al-Darei and Ali Saeed; Alaa Al-Tobi and Essam Al-Tobi against Walid Khalfan and Aziz Al-Hadhrami; Khaled Al-Qaidi and Rashid Al-Kaabi against Marwan Al-Sabi and Ali Al-Siyabi; Ismail Al-Salami and Rashid Mubarak against Salem Seif and Issa Al-Farsi.

Dubai, 28 February 2022:  Teenage shooters from the UAE and GCC displayed their skills in using traditional rifles at the Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area on Sunday.

Competitors from the Sultanate of Oman excelled in Juniors Category (for boys) with Omani Mohammed Saeed Al-Badi finishing on top of the field after achieving 79 marks, including 4 bullseye (X). He was followed by compatriot Fahm Jamal Al-Badi in second place with 78 marker, including 5X; while another Omani shooter, Muhammad Ali Al-Ma’ashani, ranked third with 77 points and 4X.

Thankful to family

Al-Badi thanked his father and his family for their support and guidance in achieving first place. He said he started shooting Saktoun, a traditional Bedouin rifle, at an early age. He added his love for the heritage was instilled in him by his family and their support guided him to achieve victory. 

The top three winners were crowned by Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Tournament Organizing Committee, and Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championship.

Highest record

Al Muhairi said this year’s edition of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting has recorded the highest number of participation in the tournament’s history. More than 2,000 male and female shooters are competing in the five categories:  Men’s Open; Women’s; Juniors (Boys) Juniors (Girls), and Dropping Plates.

Al Muhairi also expressed his appreciation of the young shooters who showed high professionalism and skill during the competitions, stressing that this is the main objective of establishing the Juniors category to develop the skills of young shooters, who will keep the tradition of the heritage sport alive for the succeeding generations.  

The competitions will continue with the qualifying round for Men’s Open category on Friday, March 4, and the championship round will be on Saturday, March 5.

Dubai, 27 February 2022:  Emirati women showed their skills in shooting as they dominated the Women’s Division in this year’s edition of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area on Saturday.

All first three places were won by Emirati female shooters, led by  Saeed Al Derei in first place, who achieved a score of 79 points, including hitting the bullseye (X) five times. Aisha Saif Al Derei came in second place, with 79 points and 4 Xs and in third spot was Amna Hassan bin Shahdour, with a mark of 79 points and 3 Xs.

The Juniors (Girls) category, meanwhile, were dominated by girls from the Sultanate of Oman. Balqis Salem Al-Diriyah finished in first place, followed by Al-Anoud Al-Harsousiya in second place and Shahd Bint Awad Al-Kaabi in third spot. 

Al-Diriyah and Al-Harsousiya went into a tie-breaking round after they tied with a score of 77 and 4Xs. Al-Kaabi scored 74markers and 1 X.

200 female shooters

Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Tournament Organizing Committee, noted over 200 females shooters competed in this year’s tournament. 

Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championship, said supporting women Saktoun shootrs is a priority for the HHC in its over-all thrust of promoting heritage sports.

Al Khasouni added he was greatly impressed with the high level of competion, given that winners had almost identical high scores.  

Highest record

According to HHC, this year’s edition of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting has record the highest number of participation in the tournament’s history. More than 2,000 male and female shooters are competing in the five categories:  Men’s Open; Women’s; Juniors (Boys) Juniors (Girls), and Dropping Plates.

Dubai, 25 February 2022:  The latest edition of Fazza Championship for Saktoun Shooting, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), kicked off on Thursday at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area, with a record participation of more than 2,000 male and female shooters.

This year’s edition is divided into five categories:  Men’s Open; Women’s; Juniors (Boys) Juniors (Girls), and Dropping Plates. In order to preserve the heritage aspect of the sport, all participants were strictly required to compete using only the traditional Saktoun rifle, which is a traditional Emirati weapon renowned for its accuracy and was used in the past for fishing and hunting.

His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, HHC CEO, inaugurated the opening of competitions, in the presence of Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Tournament Organizing Committee 

Men’s open category qualifiers

Omani Saeed Jumaa won first place in the opening day of the Men’s open category qualifiers. He achieved 78 marks, including hitting the bullseye (X) 7 times. His compatriot,  Salem Ali Balhaf, came in second place with 78 points, including X 4 times; while Abdullah Al-Shamli scored 77 points to finish in third spot.

Al Muhairi expressed his gratitude to the participants for making this year’s competition the biggest so far in terms of number of competitors. Last year saw a reduced number of participants due to the pandemic but the championship made a big rebound this time.

“We expect 10 days full of excitement and strength, given the strong levels of the participants,” he noted.

Competition schedule

The shooting competition in the Women’s category will take place on Saturday, February 26; followed by the Juniors a Men’s open qualifiers on Sunday, February 27. The Men’s open qualifiers will continue on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Dropping Plates will take place on March 4 and 5

Dubai, 20 February 2022: Nasser bin Dalmouk Al Ketbi dominated the Professional category while Khalifa Al Shamsi and Mansour Al Nuaimi excelled in the Amateur category – all reaping big financial rewards – at the 15th Saluki Championship, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Marmoom racetrack over the weekend.

Saluki racing is one of the most popular heritage sports in the region, where the best Bedouin hunting dogs put on a show of speed and stamina. Salukis came from across the UAE and GCC and the championship was divided into two categories: Amateur and Professional categories, sub-divided into male and female salukis. Races were also held in two distances – 2,500 metres and 1,000 metres.  

Al Ketbi’s dominance

Nasser bin Dalmouk Al Ketbi won the first three places in the 1,000-metre Professional female Saluki race, with his greyhound “Haya”  finishing in first place with a time of 56.90 seconds, followed by “Leona” in second spot at 57.40 seconds, and Tessa in third place (57.63 seconds).

He also grabbd the first and second places in the 1,000-metre Professional male Saluki run. His greyhound named “Cruz” came first with a time of 56.61 seconds, followed closely by “Rex” in second spot (58.11 seconds) while Sheikh Mohammed bin Al Murr Al Maktoum achieved third place with Saluki named “Breaking In” in (58.60 seconds).

Al Ketbi’s dominance stretched in the 2,500-metre Professional female Saluki race, where “Al-Dhaha” finished with a time of 2 minutes 33.85 seconds, followed by Hamad Khaled Al-Rumaihi’s “Diana” (2mins 34.29secs, and “Nawajs” (another Al Ketbi dog) in third spot (2mins 35.19secs)

Al-Ketbi completed his quadruple win by topping the 2,500-metre Professional male Saluki race, with “Organi” coming in first place with a time of 2mins and 34.51secs, followed with by “Hemma” (2mins 37.91secs); while Hamad Khaled Al-Rumaihi’s “Raqi”came in  third place (2mins 39.77secs)

Amateur category

Khalifa Hamad Al Shamsi achieved first place in the 2,500-metre Amateur female Saluki race with “Bath” finishing in 2mins 34.91secs, followed by Khalifa Muhammad Al-Mohannadi’s “Jamra” (2mins 36.13 seconds) and Amer Muhammad Al-Mansoori’s “Ghaya” in third spot (2mins 36.13ecs)

Mansour Al Nuaimi won the 2,500-metre Amateur male Saluki run with his dog named “Darb” coming in firt place with a time of 2mins 38.04secs, followed by Amer Muhammad Al-Mansoori’ “Mkhabat” (2mins 40.67secs) and Juma Khater Al-Junaibi’s “Drozone” in third place (2mins 41.57secs)

Awarding

Jumaa Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Saluki Championship Committee, and Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships, led the crowning of the winners.

Al Khasooni congratulated all the participants who trained their Saluki hard for the championship and also expressed his satisfaction over the high level of competition and cooperation among the participants. 

He said: “This reflects the strong level of the competition among Saluki owners and breeders that came across the UAE and GCC.” Al Khasooni also praised the organising committee for applying the highest standards in procedures for holding the matches.

A number of participants expressed their appreciation for the efforts of HHC to hold this championship annually. Al Ain resident Amer Muhammad Al-Mansoori, who was on the podium for the second year in a row, said he always look forward to participate in the annual tournament that contributes to highlighting the traditional sport for the younger generation.

Bahraini Hamad Al-Rumaihi added the event motivates everyone from neighboring countries to attend and participate, all for the sake of camaraderie and strong competitions.

Financial prizes 

The organising committee has allocated financial prizes to the top ten finishers in each round. First place received Dh100,000; second got Dh35,000;  third Dh25,000; fourth Dh20,000;  fifth Dh10,000; sixth Dh9,000; seventh Dh8,000; eight Dh7,000; ninth Dh6,000 and tenth Dh5,000.

Dubai, February 19, 2022: Rashid bin Al-Rakkad displayed his dominance over Mansour Al Falasi to convincingly win third place in the 22nd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 17th edition of Al Meydan Program, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) in Dubai.

Ibn Al-Rakkad’s superiority in the battle for third place was evident as he garnered 65 points as compared to 35 markers for Al-Falasi. Al-Rakkad won the horse race, camel race and dominated the Youlah vote; while Al-Falasi won in the swimming competition, poetry recitation and Saktoun rifle shooting. 

The focus is now set on who will be hailed as the Meydan Grand Knight as the stage is set for the grand finale on March 4.

His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, HHC CEO, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the all the participants in the most comprehensive, diverse and largest edition of the tournament.

He noted winning the Gold Cup requires diligence and keeping pace with the high level of competitions. “This season has not been easy, given the high level of competitions and challenges involved in all the events,” Bin Dalmook added.

He also announced that registration is now open for the next edition of the tournament.

Final event

Anticipation is now high for the announcement of the grand winner – the the Meydan Grand Knight – on March 4, where Fayyad Al Ameri and Awad Al-Amiri are competing to lift the Fazza Golden Cup.

 Nathalie Awadissian, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fazza Championship for Youlah and HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Corporate Communication, said: “As expected the final round will be very exciting, with both finalists giving their best to win the crown and lift the Fazza Golden Cup. Their skills in various Emirati heritage and traditional sports have been tested and honed during the competitions and they both rightfully have a big claim to win the championship.  

Dubai, 15 February 2022:  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has crowned the winners in the Elite Category of Fakhr Al Ajyal (Pride of Generations) Falconry Championship, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area on Tuesday, February 15.

Considered as crème de la crème or the best of the best, Fakhr Al Ajyal is the elite event for falconers from inside and outside the country looking for excellence through the competitions. 

A total of 203 falcons qualified in the six races that were slated for the Elite Championship, which was reserved only for top-flight falcons that achieved the best times during the falconry competitions, including Sheikhs Category, Jirnas, Shaheen, Open Category and General Public Category.

The coronation was witnessed by HHC CEO Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, HHC Director of Championships Rashid Al Khasouni, and Chairman of the Fazza Championships Committee for Falconry Demaithan bin Suwaidan.

Bin Dalmook thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for honouring the event and awarding the winners – manifesting the wise leadership’s unlimited support for promoting heritage sports across the UAE. 

“At HHC, we seek to develop the Fazza Championships for Falconry annually, and to introduce everything that is new and our goal is to make this tournament one of the most prominent in region and the world,” he added.

Race results

In terms of race results, Team “F3” – led by falconer Khalifa Ahmed bin Mejren – achieved first place, followed by “M7” falconer Sultan Markhan, and Suhail Al Kindi (also from F3) in third place.

In Jirnas race, Al Dhafra came first and second, led by falconer Yarah Obaid Al Ketbi; while F3 falconer Suhail Al Kindi finished third.

In General Public category, Amin bin Abdullah Al-Mallah from Saudi Arabia came first, followed by Dubai Team falconer Butti Ahmed bin Al-Sheikh Mijren in second and third places.

In the Jirnas Open race, Dubai team falconer Butti Ahmed bin Sheikh Mujren achieved first place, followed by Khaled Nasser Al-Hajri in second place, and Saif Jamal Al-Hariz in third spot.

In the fifth run, Rashid Saeed Al Mansouri won first place, followed by Nasser Bathan Al Mansouri in second place, and Abdullah Al Falasi in third place.

In the final race, Thani Abdullah Al Falasi achieved first and second places, followed by Hamad Ahmed bin Al Sheikh Mijren in third place.

Dubai, 13  February 2022:  A total of 217 falcons took part in eight races in the Juniors Category of the 10th edition of Fakhr Al Ajyal (Pride of Generations) Falconry Championship, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area over the weekend 

Demaithan bin Suwaidan, Chairman of the Fazza Championships Committee for Falconry, expressed his pride and satisfaction in the strong turnout of participants from across the UAE. He noted the ever-increasing number of participants every year.  

“We take great pride in the strong participation from the young Arabs and Emiratis who continue falconry that has been passed on from generations,” he added. 

Both male and female young falconers demonstrated their skills in falconry, including perennial winner Afra Salem Seif Al Ketbi, who has been participating in the falconry championship in the last few years. 

She won first place in one of the eight races with her bird “T2” that covered the 400-metre race in 19.995 seconds, followed by Amir Rashid Al Ketbi’s falcon “Moazem” in second place (20.204 seconds) and Hamdan Suhail Al Kindi’s “Colours” (21.210 seconds).

Afra also won first place in the next Jirnas run with her bird “202” finishing the race with a time of 20.138 seconds, followed by Rashid Hamdan Al-Kindi’ “Wahsh 2” (20.231 seconds) and Muhammad Omran Al-Nuaimi’s falcon “Dangerous” (20.259 seconds).

Hamad Rashid Al Kindi, meanwhile, grabbed top spot in the Jeer Farkh race with his bird named “Muscles” with a time of 18.285 seconds. Khaled Marwan Al-Kindi won in the main Jeer run with falcon “Wari” (18.710 seconds) and Majed Salem Majid Al Ketbi finished first in the fifth race with “Nashmi” (21.147 seconds)

Mohammed Rashid Al-Mansoori won first place in the sixth race with “Shamimi” finishing with a time of 19.255 seconds, followed by Ali Sultan Al-Mazrouei “T1” bird and Hamdan Issa Kharbash’s “Matfouk” (19.787 seconds).

Muhammad Ahmed Al-Bawardi and Mohammed Rashid Al-Mansoori won first places in the seventh and eight races respectively.

Dubai, 14 February 2022:  The crème de la crème or the best of best falcons take centre stage on Tuesday, February 15, for the Elite Category of Fakhr Al Ajyal (Pride of Generations) Falconry Championship, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) at Dubai’s Al Ruwayyah desert area.

Fakhr Al Ajyal is the elite event for falconers from inside and outside the country looking for excellence through the competitions. Only six races are slated for the Elite Championship, which is reserved for top-flight falcons that achieved the best times during the falconry competitions, including Sheikhs Category, Jirnas, Shaheen, Open Category and General Public Category.

Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships, said everything has been prepared for the elite races, which are reserved only for the strongest and fastest birds that saw action in this year’s falconry season. Big monetary incentives also await the winners.

“Falconry racing is a fraternal meeting honouring traditional Arabian values of courage, honour and nobility as well as nature conservation, respect for animals and fostering camaraderie among falconers,” he added.

Meanwhile, here are winners during the races on Sundary (February 13): 

Al Wasl team won first two places in the main race, with “Mutanabi” covering the 400-metre distance in 18.488 seconds, followed by “Buhturi” in 19.497 seconds; while Team SPK’s “H10” came in third at 20.084 seconds.

Saeed Hilal Al-Mansoori won the following race with his bird name “Artist” coming in first place with a time of 21.978 seconds, followed by Al Wasl’s “Gold” (22.009 seconds), then Mansour Ali Al-Ketbi’s “13008” (22.046 seconds).

Abdullah Saeed Al-Marri’s bird name “Theeb” grabbed first place in the third race with a 20.659 seconds; while Abdullah Salem Hassan won in the fourth run with his falcon named “H2” registering a time of 20,838 seconds.