Over 200 greyhounds compete in the 7th Saluki Hunting Championships in Al Marmoum

Fazza attends contest, gives championship thumbs up

Dubai, 26 February, 2014: Over 200 exotic Arabian greyhounds competed in another exciting edition of the 7th Saluki Hunting Championship in Al Marmoum in Dubai amidst cloudy conditions while HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai watched the contest unfold from a distance. 

The Saluki Hunting Championships are organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center under the patronage of Fazza and are touted to be the most prestigious and expensive games in the traditional line up of sporting events. 

Records were broken in the amateurs and professionals category this year by 2 and 4 seconds respectively, reaffirming the high quality of the greyhounds and the efforts of the contestants.

Salukis are some of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dogs in the world and this year’s contest witnessed participation from South Africa, Australia and Syria apart from the UAE and the Gulf region. 

45 males and 48 female salukis competed in the professional category covering a distance of 1 kilometer while 54 males and 59 females competed in the amateurs’ category covering a distance of 2 kilometers. The qualifying rounds saw salukis chasing live prey, while a dummy gazelle was used in the finals. 

Emirati contestant Ahmed Abdullah who has been actively involved in greyhound racing since 1999 participated with two hounds this year - a Turkish greyhound and a high breed Arabian saluki. “I train the hounds five days a week and take them through a running and swimming routine so that they are sufficiently prepared for the championship.” 

Ahmed Saif Al Zafin, head of the organising committee of the Saluki Hunting Championships said: 

“Attractive prizes, including luxury cars for the first three winners and the thrill of competing in a traditional sport have contributed to enhancing the overall appeal of the championship this year. 

Souad Darwish, Director of the Fazza Championships added: “The technical management of the championship has improved and the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center is honoured to be a part of the revival of one of the oldest traditional Emirati sports.”