Mulham, 2019
The festival is organised by the Saudi Falcons Club at its headquarters in Mulham, north of Riyadh, on a site of 650,000 m². Its first edition opened on 25 January 2019 and drew falconers and enthusiasts from the Kingdom and the Gulf states.
Over ten days, to 3 February 2019, 1,723 falcons were registered, with 240 Saudi competitors. On the closing day Guinness World Records recognised the event as the largest falcon race championship in the world.
Two contests
Al-Melwah is a race over 400 m, run in heats divided by species and age, with Hurr, Shaheen, Gyr and Qarmoosha falcons in separate farkh and qarnas classes. Al-Mazayen is a beauty contest, held in Saudi and open international divisions.
Prize money has exceeded SAR 17 million, and a winning cup heat in al-Melwah pays SAR 500,000. The festival describes itself as a celebration of falcons and of their protection as much as a contest.