Sheikh Joaan Awards Champions at Qatar’s Marmi 2026 Festival

Doha, Qatar – At a ceremony held on March 10, 2026, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani crowned the winners of the 17th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival, known as Marmi 2026. This prestigious event took place at the festival venue in Sabkhat Marmi, Sealine, and concluded with the final round of the Haded Al-Tahaddi Championship, featuring 27 qualified participants.

Sheikh Joaan, the festival’s patron, began the ceremony by recognizing Yousuf Mohammed Al Nuaimi, the Director of the Shared Services Department at the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam). The Sheikh then proceeded to award the champions of various field competitions. Notably, the grand prize winners of the Haded Al-Tahaddi final, each receiving a QAR 300,000 Lexus vehicle, were Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi from the UAE and Nasser Saeed Al Marri from Qatar.

Champions Across Multiple Categories

In addition to the Haded Al-Tahaddi final, Mohammed Jarrallah Al Nabet from Qatar and Team Al Shamsi from the UAE also earned recognition, each receiving a cash prize of QAR 100,000. The Tal’a Championship saw Ali Hassan Al Saei take first place, with the second and third positions remaining unawarded due to unsuccessful hunts. The first-place winner received a cash prize of QAR 300,000.

Sheikh Joaan also honored the winners in the Local Da’w Championship, which comprised seven categories. In the “Free Farakh” category, Khalifa Mohammed Al Henzab secured first place, followed by Team Laffan and Sultan Hamad Al Humaidi. In the “Qarnass Jir” category, Hamad Abdullah Al Arjani took first place, while Team Al Sheehaniya and Team Al Zam followed in second and third, respectively.

In the “Free Qarnass” category, Team Al Sheehaniya achieved first and third places, with Hamad Abdulhadi bin Naifa finishing second. The “Qarnass Shaheen” category saw Team Al Zam win first place, followed by Abdullah Saeed Al Marri in second and Abdullah Amer Al Kaabi in third. First-place winners across these categories received QAR 200,000, while second and third places garnered QAR 100,000 and QAR 50,000, respectively.

International and Elite Championships

Sheikh Joaan also crowned the winners of the International Da’w Championship. In the ‘Free’ category, Suhail Saeed Al Kindi took first place, while Khaled bin Tuaiss Al Qahtani and Barghash bin Mohammed Al Mansouri secured second and third. Al Kindi dominated the International Da’w Jir and Qarmousha category, claiming all top three positions. In the Qarnass Shaheen category, Humaid bin Mohammed Al Mansouri won first place, with Imran Falih Al Nuaimi and Faisal bin Nasser Jumaa following in second and third, respectively. First-place winners in these categories received QAR 100,000.

In the Elite Da’w Round, Team Al Zam claimed first place, Abdullah Saeed Al Marri finished second, and Team Al Sheehaniya placed third. The prize distribution was QAR 300,000 for first, QAR 200,000 for second, and QAR 100,000 for third.

The Promising Falconer Championship showcased participants in categories such as Taba’, Shuweihina, and Jabalya, where top five winners included Ali Mohammed Al Marri and Ali Mohammed Al Assiri. Each first-place winner in these categories received QAR 25,000, while subsequent placements received varying amounts down to QAR 8,000 for fifth place.

The ceremony also featured the Saluki Racing Championship, where notable winners included Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Sulaity in both Mixed Breed categories. First-place winners in this segment received QAR 100,000.

Chairman of the Festival, Muteb bin Mubarak Al Qahtani, commended Sheikh Joaan’s unwavering support for preserving the tradition of falconry. He expressed gratitude for the festival’s success in organization and participation and highlighted the professionalism displayed by the competitors.

The festival, organized by the Qatar Al Qannas Association, aims to preserve falconry as a vital part of Qatari cultural heritage, especially following UNESCO’s recognition of falconry as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The festival is crucial in introducing younger generations to this tradition.

Looking ahead, the closing events of Marmi 2026 include the highly anticipated Mazayin Championship, scheduled for March 11, 2026. This competition will feature falcon aesthetics, drawing participants from both Qatar and abroad, showcasing the unique qualities of these birds.

Participants emphasized the significance of the Mazayin Championship, which requires meticulous preparation focused on the aesthetic qualities of falcons. They noted that this championship stands out within Marmi for its specific criteria, requiring competitors to present their falcons in the best possible light.

The Marmi Festival not only celebrates falconry but also reinforces its cultural importance, ensuring that this cherished tradition continues to thrive in Qatar and beyond.