Exclusive Falcon Badge To Debut At ADIHEX 2024, Boosting Falconry Heritage

Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) badge for falcons will be launched by ADNEC Group, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club. The 21st edition of the event will take place from 31st August to 8th September 2024 at ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi.

The badge will qualify falcons purchased at the exhibition, associated auctions, and events to compete under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club. These falcons will participate in new race rounds introduced for badge holders in four categories: Gyr Pure, Gyr Qarmousha, Gyr Shaheen, and Taba. This is part of the upcoming round of the President's Cup Falcon Competition 2024-2025.

Majid Ali Al Mansoori, Secretary-General of the Emirates Falconers Club, said, "The launch of this badge aligns with the aspirations of our wise leadership to support all national events that add value, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s status as a capital that blends modernity and tradition, and as a leading centre for creativity and innovation in various sports and heritage activities."

Al Mansoori expressed confidence in the significant impact of such initiatives on supporting the falconry sector locally and internationally. He noted that the initiative would enhance participation at ADIHEX, both in terms of quantity and quality, benefiting all supporting sectors.

Sultan Al Mahmoud, Executive Director at Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, said, "We are proud of our strategic partnership with the Emirates Falconers Club and ADNEC Group in launching this badge. I am confident that it will enhance the competitiveness and reputation of the exhibition regionally and globally, and support a wide range of sectors, from producers to experts and enthusiasts."

Strategic Partnerships

Al Mahmoud added that teams at the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, in cooperation with ADNEC Group, will work diligently to ensure future badge rounds' success under the President's Cup umbrella. This effort aims to promote competitiveness and highlight such sports' importance.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said, "The introduction of this badge reflects our leadership's dedication to advancing the falconry sector in the UAE. This initiative aims to preserve these important sports' heritage and capabilities while enhancing their competitiveness regionally and internationally."

"The launch of this badge is intended to support producers in enhancing their participation in the exhibition," Al Dhaheri continued. "It will also stimulate high-quality birds' inclusion, encourage visitors to acquire falcons, and promote falconry heritage. This advances the exhibition's role in supporting this sport locally and internationally."

The initiative aims to boost participation at ADIHEX by attracting more exhibitors and visitors interested in falconry. It also seeks to support producers by encouraging them to showcase high-quality birds.

This new initiative underlines Abu Dhabi’s commitment to blending modernity with tradition while promoting creativity across various sports and heritage activities.

With inputs from WAM