Falconry Cup Masters Heats Directed By Ahmed Bin Mohammed On 14 February At Dubai

The International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup ‘Masters Heats’ returns to Dubai on 14th February, under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The 400‑metre competition takes place at Lahbab Track, within the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, and is closely linked to preparations for the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026.

The third edition gathers 27 teams representing 25 countries, reflecting wide global interest in falconry sports. Competitors will race across four distinct heats over the set distance. The event highlights the UAE’s role in heritage sports and confirms the Cup’s growing visibility on the international competitive calendar for traditional disciplines.

The current edition follows a cooperation agreement that aligns falconry with the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026. That global multi-sport event will run from 6th to 15th February in Abu Dhabi, hosting more than 25,000 athletes. Participants will compete in 37 sports across ten days, positioning the UAE within a dense international sporting schedule.

The UAE Falcons Federation and the Supreme Organising Committee of the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026 formalised their collaboration last month. Rashid bin Markhan, Secretary-General of the UAE Falcons Federation, signed on behalf of the federation. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, represented the Masters Games organisers, signalling shared objectives around heritage sports and participation.

The International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup has become an annual gathering point for national falconry federations and specialist teams. It aims to move falconry from a domestic practice into a structured international sport. The Cup also provides an institutional platform that supports coordination, rules, and competition standards under a unified global federation framework.

Results from the first two editions show strong regional competition between leading Gulf teams in the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup. The performances of teams from Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain have shaped the early competitive narrative of the tournament and underline the depth of falconry talent across the region.

International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup strategic vision

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Vice President of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and Vice President of the UAE Falcons Federation, highlighted the role of large sports platforms in promoting falconry. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan stressed that such events support awareness of the UAE’s ancestral sport locally and internationally, especially during major global sporting gatherings.

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan noted that hosting the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup during the Masters Games cycle gives the Cup added importance. The Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026 is expected to welcome more than 25,000 athletes from different regions. This scale offers falconry direct exposure to a broad, multi-sport participant base.

He added, "We take pride in the inclusion of falconry within the sports programme of the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026. Thanks to the support of our wise leadership, falconry has transitioned from a recreational pursuit to a global sport, with falconry championships receiving recognition from the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing."

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan also expressed confidence in the Masters Games organising committee and its ability to meet international standards. According to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026 is regarded as the world’s largest international multi-sport participation event, with a strong message around lifelong sports engagement, particularly for older age groups and senior competitors.

International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup development plans

Rashid bin Markhan, who also serves as Secretary-General of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing, linked the federation’s long-term strategy to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Rashid bin Markhan referred as well to the close follow-up of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. Both leaders seek to secure falconry a visible position on the international sports scene.

Rashid bin Markhan explained that creating strong competitive platforms for falconry is central to connecting younger generations to their heritage. Organised tournaments help translate traditional knowledge into regulated sport. He stressed the need to work with bodies that stage major international sporting events, which aligns with the UAE Falcons Federation’s mandate to promote falconry values at home and abroad.

He further underlined the symbolic weight of integrating falconry into the Masters Games programme, which has brought together hundreds of thousands of athletes worldwide since 1985. Rashid bin Markhan said this inclusion reflects falconry’s recognised status, especially as the Masters Games are supervised by the International Masters Games Association, a body acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee.

"We are proud of this ambitious partnership, which serves falconry, expands its horizons, and records the achievements of its winners within a prestigious global sporting platform that brings together athletes from diverse nations," he added.

Meanwhile, Aref Hamad Al Awani stated that staging the third International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing Cup ‘Masters Heats’ on 14th February marks a key step for the sport. The collaboration with the Supreme Organising Committee of the Masters Games – Abu Dhabi 2026, according to Aref Hamad Al Awani, strengthens falconry’s global profile and reflects the UAE’s status as a centre for heritage sports.

Aref Hamad Al Awani said the Masters Games link different generations to authentic sporting traditions while supporting sustainability and competitiveness goals. The event also promotes Abu Dhabi as a host city for high-profile global sports events that attract leading athletes. Aref Hamad Al Awani thanked all stakeholders for their efforts and noted that this shared work aims to present heritage sports in a manner that matches their importance within the UAE.

With inputs from WAM