Award of the UAE President Cup for Falconry presented to
HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan presents trophy to Ms Lara Sawaya

Abu Dhabi, UAE - HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival was awarded the prestigious UAE President Cup for Falconry during the 4th The President Cup Falcon Competitions which was held between January 15-17, 2017.

HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Club presented the award to Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the Int’l Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees.

The President Cup Falcon Competitions is organized in line with the support and patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, and the wise guidance of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s representative in the Western Union, President of Emirates Falconers’ Club, and under the supervision of HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Club.

“The Festival is the brainchild of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and since 2009 we have not only been promoting Arabian horse racing but also Falconry, both being major heritage sport of the UAE. This award is recognition of the efforts of the Festival in this direction and we will be encouraged to make more progress in promoting heritage sport,” said Ms. Lara Sawaya after receiving the award on behalf of the Festival.

Competitions were organized by Abu Dhabi Falconers’ Club with the aim of preserving the achievements of past, supporting the UAE heritage and ancestral sports in line with its mission and values. The President Cup Falcon Competitions featured three final competitions (Telwah, Training of falcons with balloons and Training of falcons with wireless aircrafts), in addition to the final rounds of the Al Falah Cup, Telwah Cup and Golden Telwah Cup.

Apart from the winners of the various events the Falconry Club also recognized efforts by individuals and groups that helped in promoting Falconry and heritage sport and the Festival was one of those honoured.

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf