THE second day of Bahrain’s biggest animal festival was in full swing yesterday, with families and enthusiasts flocking to the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Zallaq for the sixth edition of the Bahrain Animal Production Show, Mara’ee 2023.
The event, being organised by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
The King opened the event on Wednesday in a colourful ceremony that featured heritage and European shows alongside musical performances.
A variety of exciting entertainment and educational activities for visitors of all ages was on offer on day two, serving as a platform to showcase the kingdom’s illustrious history and dedication to animal production.
The event includes plenty of shows and competitions including a Falcon Show, Fancy Pigeons Show, Fancy Bird Show, Fancy Chicken Show, Cat Show, Dog Show, Horse Show, Camel Show, and a Cattle, Sheep and Goat Show.
The Bird Show is one of the most anticipated competitions of the event, attracting breeders and bird lovers not just from Bahrain, but also from places like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
It includes competitions for different breeds of birds, including parrots, wrens, finches, lovebirds, bulbuls and more.
According to Bahrain Bird Society chairman Yusuf Alasfoor, the breeders have stepped up their game this year, with competitions being closer than ever.
“We have around 1,800 birds in total in the competition this year,” he told the GDN yesterday.
“There are so many different types of birds, so many species are on show.
“We are happy to have a new section for bulbul this time around, not the Arabian Bulbul and not the White Cheeked Bulbul which is the national bird of Bahrain, as it is forbidden to breed those species in captivity, or sell them, or even catch them in the wild.
“Each entry into the competition has details written under their cages in Arabic and English such as the name of their species, the bird’s name itself, and other information.
“So everybody is most welcome to the show.”
Another very popular event is the Dog Show, which attracts several different breeds, with this year’s entries including a dalmatian, a husky, golden retriever, chihuahuas and, of course, the fabled saluki.
It is being held by the Bahrain Dogs Care Society, under the watchful eye of its chairman Isa Alnasheet.
“We are honoured to participate in the sixth Bahrain Animal Production Show, Mara’ee 2023,” he told the GDN.
“Our first participation was in 2010, then again in 2018 and 2019, and this is our fourth time being involved.
“We have organised plenty of activities this year, including a ceremony to honour the graduates of our academy, a marathon, and a dog walking event.
“We have, of course, organised the dog show, as well as an exhibition featuring the beloved saluki.
“I hope this year, we put on a programme that is bigger and better than ever before.”
It isn’t just the breeders who are out to enjoy the show though, with plenty of activities lined up for the children.
The children were able to play with kittens and walk puppies to their heart’s content, as well as experience having birds perch on their shoulders and heads.
Other than that, there is a Baby Shark Game Zone, a Cowboy Town, a MUN Kids Zone which includes several competitions and prizes to be won.
Other activities include pony riding, where the children can ride on Shetland ponies, a horse that stands no taller than 115cm at the withers (In anatomy, withers are the ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse, where the height of the animal is measured).
The event reflects the kingdom’s dedication to preserving livestock and consolidating food security in the country, with plans and programmes implemented by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to enhance investment in this vital sector in a sustainable manner.
The three-day event is open to the public from 9am to 9pm at the Bahrain International Endurance Village until tomorrow.
On the opening day, animal awards were presented by the King.
Best Bahraini Suluki dog “Qamriyah” owned by the King’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa won the best dog award.
Best horse award went to Mohsin Ali Abdulla Hussain Stable, best stud award went to Abdulla Ahmed Shaheen Al Mudhaki, best camel “Worood” to Mohammed Salim Al Ma’amri, best pigeon to Hassan Jabr Hassan Al Nuaimi, and best cow to Sayed Hussain Habib Ali.
The event concludes tomorrow with a Showjumping competition for juniors and adults starting at 9am at the Main Show Arena.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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