Encounter of the traditional kind

The Fazza' Championship will be held for the fourth time this year during the Dubai Shopping Festival 2006. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, the Falconry, Shooting and Youla championships will be held at different venues to celebrate the traditional sports of the emirates.

The Falconry Championship, which attracted 1,600 participants last year, will take place from January 17 to 19 at the Global Village thanks to the support and encouragement by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This competition will pit the skills of the best falconry experts in the UAE and provide a showcase of a traditional Arabian sport to the international visitors at the DSF. Competitors will vie for the Alhraha1, Alshahin and Altbouaa categories of this contest.

Shooting competitions have always been a time-honoured sport in the Arab world, and this DSF the UAE sharp shooters will once more dazzle DSF visitors with their skills during Eid Ul Adha on January 27, 28 and 29 in Al Ruwia. With 1,850 competitors participating last year, organisers are expecting a higher number of participants this time round.

A large number of UAE nationals will be seen rejuvenating their past, dancing to the traditional tunes using swords and guns as props this year with the Al Youla championships which would be held throughout the Dubai Shopping Festival from January 4 to February 4 at the Global Village. The name of the dance that originates from the expression of an imminent danger and the dance itself characteristically performed by the olden tribes of UAE to celebrate victory will captivate crowds with the movement and agility of participants.

Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors Al Habtoor Motors and Al Naboodah Automobile, the winners of all the categories will receive cars as prizes.
The Dubai Shopping Festival 2005 runs between January 4 and February 4, 2006.