King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2024 Ends With Historic SAR 36 Million Prize Pool

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2024 concluded successfully, hosted by the Saudi Falconry Club from December 3 to 19 in Malham, north of Riyadh. This year's event boasted a prize pool exceeding SAR 36 million, the largest in the festival's history. The festival attracted 1,032 falconers from nine countries, including Saudi Arabia and several Gulf nations, as well as Italy and Ireland.

Participants brought a total of 3,322 falcons to the event. Among them were 160 international falconers and 49 young enthusiasts. The festival's highlight was the King's Sword competition, featuring two rounds with prizes totaling SAR 1.85 million. Each round offered SAR 925,000 to the winners.

Talal Al-Shumaisi, CEO of the Saudi Falcons Club, expressed gratitude for the Kingdom's leadership in preserving falconry heritage. He acknowledged the vision and directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Crown Prince is also the club's general supervisor.

Al-Shumaisi also praised Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz for his ongoing support. As chairman of the club’s board of directors, his commitment to enhancing this cultural heritage is unwavering. This dedication resonates deeply with all Saudis.

The festival saw participation from countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Syria, Italy, and Ireland. It highlighted international interest in falconry and showcased Saudi Arabia's role in promoting this traditional sport globally.

The event not only celebrated falconry but also aimed to strengthen cultural ties among participating nations. It provided a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences related to this ancient practice.

The successful conclusion of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving its rich cultural traditions while fostering international collaboration in this unique sport.

With inputs from SPA