Tournament for falcon, hunting competitions continues

Manama, Jan. 9 (BNA): Under the patronage of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, the first qualifying race of Saluki hunting dogs (females) was held on Friday as part of Bahrain Tournament for Falcon and Hunting held in Al Sabkha area near Bahrain International Endurance Village in cooperation with Nasser Bin Hamad Foundation. The race was attended by HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation and a number of the Royal Family members. The dogs of 12 out of 14 contestants competed in the race to qualify for five spots in the final race. HH Shiakh Khalid bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa won the first place with the dog tagged with No.13, while the other spots went to the dogs owned by Hamad Khalid Al Rumaihi, HH Shaikh Nooh bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa, Mohaned Yousif Al Taneeb, respectively. HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid visited the analytic studio of Bahrain Sports Channel in the site of the event and conveyed the appreciation of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to them and their efforts to bring out a successful tournament. On his part, President of the Supreme Committee of Bahrain Tournament for Falcon and Hunting Khalifa Al Gaoud stressed that members of the orginising committees are following the directives of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to ensure the success of the tournament and to promote and preserve traditional sports and games. The committee announced the competitions of the first week will be concluded on Saturday with the falconry contests of HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Khalifa Cup and HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al Khalifa Cup, besides a qualifying race for Saluki hunting dogs (males), a shooting contest and a traditional race for Arabian horses.