348 contestants, including 33 women, participate in the Al Dhafra Grand Kingfishing Championships
Al Dhafra, January 10, 2026 – The first leg of the Al Dhafra Kingfishing Championships 2026, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, began yesterday with the participation of an elite group of traditional hunting professionals and amateurs from inside and outside the country.
The first leg began with the participation of 348 competitors, including 33 women, as the boats launched from three locations specified by the organizing committee, which are the “Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club” in Abu Dhabi, the “Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club” in the port city, and “Dalma Port” on Dalma Island.
The Al Dhafra Grand Kingfishing Championships include three main stages, including six competitions, three for the general category and the same for women. The first stage competitions will continue until January 18, while the second stage will be held from February 6 to 15, and the third from March 22 to 31.
135 prizes were allocated to the winners of the tournaments, with a total value exceeding two million dirhams, with 45 prizes for each station.
His Excellency Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Festivals and Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, confirmed that all preparations have been completed for the competitions to proceed according to the highest standards of organization and safety, which gives the participants the opportunity to demonstrate distinguished levels, especially since registration to participate in the tournaments has witnessed a wide turnout of fishermen of various nationalities, which reinforces the success achieved by the tournament in its previous sessions, and confirms the fishermen’s confidence in the regulatory and transparency standards that the Authority is keen to implement.
He pointed out that the tournaments, in addition to their competitive aspect, represent a platform for transferring expertise and enhancing awareness of the importance of protecting marine resources, making it one of the most prominent marine heritage events in the region that contributes to reviving the UAE’s marine fishing heritage, promoting the concepts of sustainable fishing, in addition to consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination in organizing specialized heritage events.
Organizing the Al Dhafra Grand Kingfishing Championships is part of the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority to preserve the Emirati maritime heritage and connect new generations with its authentic values, within a framework that combines authenticity and professional organization, with the aim of enhancing awareness of maritime heritage, preserving the traditional fishing heritage, encouraging women’s participation, and supporting maritime sustainability.
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