AlUla’s weather helped falcons shine at cup, winners say

Several local falconers have won the first rounds of the AlUla Falcons Cup 2023, one of the largest falconry completions in the world, and said the ancient city’s moderate and distinctive weather helped the falcons to shine.

The cup, which runs until Jan. 5, is being held in partnership between the Saudi Falcons Club and the Royal Commission for AlUla at Mughira Heritage Sports Village in AlUla, and offers the largest monetary rewards in the history of falconry competitions, with a total prize fund of SR60 million ($16 million).

Falconer Sultan Al-Yami, who won first place in the Qarnas Mallak heat category race, said that winning this race was very difficult with great competition from nearly 120 participating falcons, adding that it was one of the most important races for him.

He said he intensified his preparations for the cup after ending his participation in the King Abdulaziz Falcons Festival, and the best and most equipped falcons were selected to participate in AlUla, where the weather was suitable for the falcons to cover a distance of 400 meters in the Malwah races easily.

He also said that this cup is very important, as it is the most expensive race in the world, thanking those in charge of organizing the contest at a global and professional level.

Barghash Al-Mansouri said that winning the Pure Jeer Farkh, Qarnas Professional and Malak Open races on the second day of the AlUla Falcons Cup was a successful start for him and his falcons, as he was able to do an outstanding performance.

Al-Mansouri said that the atmosphere of AlUla Square and the village of Mughira is very suitable for the Malwah races, adding that AlUla is the land of civilizations and the land of falcons, and that he began preparations a long time before the global competition started.