Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council welcomed a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Falconers’ Club at his residence in Al Wathba on September 10. The group was led by Major General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and included senior officials from the falconers organisation. According to the Emirates News Agency the meeting focused on ongoing initiatives to strengthen falconry both as a cherished cultural practice and as a competitive sport within the emirate.
The Emirates News Agency reported that discussions highlighted recent programmes aimed at engaging younger generations in falconry while preserving traditional techniques. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan commended the organisations for their work in integrating heritage values with modern sporting standards. A statement carried by the agency noted the importance of such collaboration in maintaining Abu Dhabi’s leading position in cultural preservation.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council according to its official records oversees multiple federations and clubs dedicated to traditional sports including falconry. Established to promote athletic development across the emirate the council has supported numerous events that blend physical activity with Emirati customs. Data from the council shows these efforts have expanded participation in heritage sports over the past decade.
The Abu Dhabi Falconers’ Club founded in 2012 serves as a centre for enthusiasts to develop skills through workshops competitions and educational sessions the club website states. Infrastructure at the facility includes dedicated training areas and falcon care units that support both professionals and newcomers. The club has organised events that align with broader national goals of heritage transmission as outlined in its annual activity reports.
Falconry gained international recognition when UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 a designation that covers practices in the UAE and several other countries. The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi has extended the 2025-2026 falconry season through February 2026 under directives that enforce licensing and environmental protections the agency announced. Its Sheikh Zayed Falcon Release Programme has returned more than 2355 falcons to the wild since its launch according to official EAD figures.
The 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition held in September 2026 drew 2405 exhibitors from 71 countries across 107000 square metres of space the Emirates News Agency reported from the event. Organised with support from the Emirates Falconers’ Club the exhibition featured innovations in falconry alongside conservation displays. Organisers noted record participation from falcon farms reflecting growing global interest in the UAE’s approach to the sport.
Youth-focused programmes have become a cornerstone of falconry promotion with winter camps and school initiatives training thousands of participants in recent years according to the Emirates Falconers’ Club. These activities often incorporate lessons on conservation and traditional values alongside practical skills. The club has recorded more than 5000 students attending its Mohamed bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School since 2016 its achievements summary shows.
