The UAE Falcons Federation team wins the International Federation Cup for the second year in a row, achieving three world records

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the two federations, blessed “International Falcon Sports and Racing” and “Emirati Falcons”, the well-deserved achievement of the UAE Federation team, which is crowned with the International Cup title for the second year in a row.

This victory came during the third edition of the tournament called “Masters Rounds”, where the team achieved three world records confirming the UAE’s leadership in this ancient sport, as His Highness wished the team further excellence and success.

His Highness said that the victory is the result of a clear vision to transform the traditional sport into a global professional competition, and the result of institutional work and great efforts aimed at consolidating the UAE’s position as a global center for falconry sports and racing, which reflects the support of the wise leadership and its constant interest in the ancient sport of falcons.

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Vice President of the International Federation of Falcon Sports and Racing, and Vice President of the Emirates Falcons Federation, also congratulated the team on the exceptional performance in the third edition of the International Federation of Falcon Sports and Racing Cup, which was crowned with three world records and a new title added to the UAE’s record of achievements.

He said that what has been achieved today is the result of the support of the wise leadership and the integration of the efforts of the technical and administrative teams, noting that the achievement confirms that the UAE is moving steadily towards strengthening its global presence in falconry sports and racing and establishing the highest standards of excellence in its organization and development.

The Emirates Falcons Federation team won the title of the third edition of the International Federation of Falcon Sports and Racing Cup “Masters Race” for a distance of 400 meters for the second year in a row, during the competitions held today in Lahbab Square in Dubai, so that the team achieved three world records in different races, after setting the world record for the first time in this major global event.

The Emirates Falcons Federation team achieved first place and the world record in the Gir Shaheen half with a time of 15.991 seconds, the Pure Gir half with a time of 16.784 seconds, and the Gir Taba round with a time of 17.399 seconds, while the Qatari Al Gannas Association team achieved first place and the world record in the Garmosha half with a time of 17.085 seconds.

In the overall standings, the Emirates Falconry Federation team won first place with a total of 93 points, while the team of the Popular Heritage Sports Committee in the Kingdom of Bahrain was crowned second place with a total of 69 points, the Qatari Al Gannas Society was crowned third place with 65 points, the Sultanate of Oman Falcon Racing Team won fourth place with 40 points, and the Falconry and Traditional Games Association team in the State of Kuwait won fifth place with 24 points. Point.

The third edition of the International Federation for Falcon Sports and Racing Cup witnessed wide international participation, including 27 teams from 25 countries, who competed in four diverse rounds: Pure Gear, Gear Shaheen, Garmosha, and Gear Taba, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Rashid bin Markhan, Secretary General of the Emirates Falcons Federation, Secretary General of the International Federation for Falcon Sports and Racing, and Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Council. Dubai Sports Club, Arif Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Managing Director of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the Masters Games in Abu Dhabi 2026, and a number of officials, representatives of diplomatic missions in the country, and sports figures.

In a distinctive gesture during the crowning of the winners of the third edition of the International Federation of Falconry Sports and Racing Cup “Masters Races”, Arif Al-Awani honored the Argentine falconer Hector Ricardo, the eldest in the event at the age of 75, in appreciation of his participation, great efforts and positive imprint in the world of falconry sports, in a noble message that practicing the sport is not linked to a specific age.

Rashid bin Markhan gave a brief explanation to the audience about the stages of development of the tournament, which was launched in 2023 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, President of the International Falcon Sports and Racing Federation, President of the Emirates Falcons Federation, and the follow-up of his deputy Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, with the participation of 16 teams, while the second edition of the tournament in 2024 witnessed the participation of 23 teams. Bringing the number of participating teams to 27 in the third edition.

Rashid bin Markhan stressed that the UAE, with the support of its wise leadership, has become a global model to be emulated in organizing major heritage sporting events, based on its belief in the importance of the cultural and social heritage, the necessity of sustaining work on its development, and applying the best practices to consolidate its gains, transfer its historical features, and introduce its authentic values ​​at the global level.

Bin Markhan praised the efforts of the work teams that were behind the success of this event, as it was held for the third time in a row in the UAE, achieving a clear increase in the number of participants in each successive edition, and advanced results and distinguished times for all international teams that showed great readiness during the competition rounds, which reflected the level of training and preparation to compete in this event.

The third edition of the Cup gained special importance, following the inclusion of its results in the Abu Dhabi 2026 Masters Games, which enhanced international recognition of falconry, in addition to the fact that the event became part of a major global sports system that includes 25,000 athletes and 37 games. It also embodies the vision of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing in transforming the traditional sport into a global professional competition.

The competitions of the third edition of the International Federation Cup for Falconry Sports and Racing also coincided with the adoption of the world record for falconry based on the leadership position of the United Arab Emirates in preserving and developing falconry sports and racing, and to consolidate the role of the Federation as a global regulatory reference, as this initiative works to establish the global record for the best times achieved by falcons within the International Federation Cup tournaments for falconry sports and racing.

The owners of the falcons that achieved the best time were awarded an official international certificate issued by the International Federation of Falcon Sports and Racing, as this certificate is an official document of achievement, of sporting, heritage and historical value, capable of being preserved, documented and displayed in international forums.