São Paulo – The King Abdulaziz International Falconry Festival ended this Tuesday (13) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, giving over SAR 115 million (about USD 30.6 million at the current rate) in prizes. The top prize was SAR 30 million (about USD 8 million). The festival opened on November 28 at the Saudi Falcon Club and brought together local and foreign competitors, amateurs, and professionals, of different ages.
According to a press release, through this festival, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, the country seeks to revive the regional cultural heritage with falcon racing, preserve the hobby, support amateur and professional breeders and help to develop the skills of falconers. Walid Al-Taweel, the spokesman for the Saudi Falconry Club, said the festival focuses on the new generations and organizes competitions to attract the attention of young falconers.
According to Al-Taweel, the festival has become one of the first of its kind in the region and the world. Saudi Arabia is a significant hub for falconry, with the birds considered pets in the country and region. Last year, an auction organized by the club holding the festival sold the most expensive falcon in the world, the “Qarmousha Ultra White,” for SAR 1.75 million (about USD 466,000).
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
