Istanbul: The Qatari Society of Al Gannas concluded its participation in the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, held in Istanbul, Turkiye, from May 21 to 24, under the theme: The World is Here.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Society's delegation was led by Ali bin Khatam Al Mahshadi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Directors of the World Ethnosport Union (WEU). He was accompanied by Vice Chairman Mohammed bin Abdul Latif Al Misnad and Zayed Mohammad Al Ali Al Maadeed. The festival attracted large crowds and showcased activities such as archery, wrestling, horseback archery, falconry, Saluki racing, martial arts, acrobatics, traditional crafts, theater, and culinary arts.

In a statement, Al Mahshadi mentioned that the Qatari Society of Al Gannas engaged in several bilateral meetings with participating delegations, including new members of the federation and representatives of the Turkish Falconry Club. These meetings emphasized the Society's commitment to preserving and promoting falconry heritage both locally and internationally, with a focus on educational initiatives and competitions aimed at young falconers.

Al Mahshadi further noted that participants commended the association's scientific and cultural initiatives, including the International Falcon Veterinary Conference, Qatar Falcon Genome Project (QFGP), and the Qatar Falconers Campaign for the Release of Falcons into the Wild. The festival united delegations from member states of the federation and featured a variety of traditional sports, cultural performances, culinary activities, and theatrical events, while also introducing several traditional games and sports for the first time.