Al Ain: People will be able to see a fine collection of salukis, a world prominent breed of Middle Eastern breed of hunter dogs, running in a competition next week as part of the Second International Festival of Falconry in Al Ain.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) on Monday announced the race, saying it will be held on December 11 and 12 inside the camel racing track in Remah, a town some 70km away from downtown Al Ain on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Highway.
Hamad Al Ghanem, Head of the race organising committee, said a total of 10 races would be held in the two days of the competition and the finals would be held in Madinat Zayed on December 19 and 20. In Rimah, the race will start at 1pm. The winners of the competition will be given attractive prizes.
The ADACH said a saluki must be of Arabic origin, no less than one year old, healthy and free of disabilities, and has a health register and an identification chip (microchip). The saluki will be examined by doctor and the panel of judges before the start of the competition.
The authority said the participating salukis should be brought at Hybrids Circuit in Suwaihan on Friday between 7am and 5pm. Registration will end when the number of competitors is complete.
The festival is being organised by ADACH in cooperation with the Emirates Falconry Club. Falconers from 75 countries of the world would be participating in the event that is considered a platform for propagating the deep-rooted Emirati heritage. The festival will host a traditional market of Emirati handicrafts along with races of soaring falcons, camels, and salukis.
A championship race of 400 metres of falcons will be held on 2pm on December 12 and 13. Falcons' categories are set by the selection committee. In case of suspicion, said the authority, falconers have the right to participate with more than one falcon in different categories of the championship.
Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Director of the Festival and Director of the Communication Department at the ADACH, said the event would provide a unique chance to falconers and people interested in falconry for exchanging experience. A falconers' camp will be set up from December 11 to 13 Rimah.
