AlUla, December 27, 2023, The eagerly anticipated 2023 AlUla Falcon Cup is set to launch tomorrow in the picturesque AlUla Governorate, promising an exhilarating display of falconry prowess that will captivate enthusiasts from around the world. Running until January 5, this prestigious competition, organized in collaboration by the Saudi Falcons Club and the Royal Commission for AlUla, boasts unprecedented awards, totaling an impressive SAR60 million.
Comprising four distinct tracks within the Milwah and Mazayen competitions, the AlUla Falcon Cup is a testament to the region's commitment and passion for falconry. The inaugural track, featuring 24 stages, is dedicated to local owners and professionals who will showcase their skill and expertise in a bid for a slice of the substantial SAR10.44 million in prizes allocated to the top 10 winners in each track.
The second track promises intense competition, involving falcons with the best timings from the qualifying stages of the renowned 2023 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival. With 10 falcons per track and 48 stages in total, this segment welcomes participants from various backgrounds, including local owners, local professionals, international owners, and international professionals. The prize pool for the second track is a staggering SAR28.860 million, distributed among the top 10 performers in each category.
The third track is an elite showcase, featuring three segments for locals and three for international contenders. Falconry enthusiasts will witness the extraordinary prowess of falcons that secured first place in the 2023 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival finals, the AlUla Cup track, and 36 falcons that clinched the top three positions in the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival finals. The prize pool for the third track is a substantial SAR10.5 million, awarded to the winners of the top five places for locals and the top three places for international competitors.
Dedicated to the Al-Mazayen competition, the fourth track features six segments exclusively for local competitors, offering a generous prize pool of SAR10.2 million. This segment further adds to the diversity and excitement of the overall competition.
The impact of the AlUla Falcon Cup and its unprecedented awards has reverberated throughout the falconry community, notably influencing the recently concluded 2023 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival. With fierce competition among passionate falconers, the festival achieved a remarkable feat by breaking its previous Guinness World Records, boasting a participation of 2,654 falcons. This accomplishment marks the third time in its history that the festival has secured a place in the Guinness World Records, solidifying its status as the world's largest falconry competition.
As the AlUla Falcon Cup takes flight, the world awaits the unfolding spectacle that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of falconry history.