THE diving team of Abdulla Khalifa Al Muawda has won the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa round of the pearl diving and oyster shucking competition organised as part of the eighth round of the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Marine Heritage Sports Season.
The contest was held at the Heyr Shatia marine area north of Muharraq on Friday.
The victory follows the win Mr Al Muawda achieved last week during the Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa round of the competition.
This time round, he collected pearls weighing 14.5gms.
The team of Jabr Ali Al Mudahka registered a remarkable improvement by climbing from fourth place last week to the runner-up in the rankings after recording a weight of 10.04gms, while Abdullah Khalifa Al Haddi’s team rose from fifth to third place with a haul of pearls weighing 9.578gms.
The ‘Al Hayer’ competition (oyster extraction) is part of the eighth and largest edition of the Nasser Bin Hamad Marine Heritage Sports Season, which is organised annually by the Bahrain Inherited Traditional Sports Committee (Mawrooth).
Th contest, which brought together nearly 100 amateur divers, was fiercely competitive, reflecting the Bahrainis’ attachment to their folk heritage, as the participating teams competed to extract oysters from the depths of the sea in a revival of the heritage of diving and pearl hunting, which was one of the pillars of the Bahraini economy in the past.
The competition was conducted in full compliance with the security and safety requirements set by the organising committee.
It also featured a meticulous process of sorting the collected oysters and weighing the pearls by a specialised judging panel called the ‘Tawawish’ in a scene that reflected the authenticity of Bahrain’s maritime heritage and its deep connection to national identity.
The pearls were judged according to a number of factors, from weight to lustre and colour.
A judge inspecting the pearls
The annual Nasser Bin Hamad Marine Heritage Season is one of the most prominent competitions organised by Mawrooth aimed at reviving the kingdom’s authentic maritime heritage.
It is sponsored by His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with the direct support of SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, embodying their interest in reviving sea values and strengthening their presence in the hearts of new generations.
Since its launch, the seasonal event succeeded in bringing in different parts of local society in traditional activities and competitions, as well as cultural competitions, including trivia.
The season, which began in July, will continue until mid-November.
Among its most prominent activities are the popular rowing races, the open water swimming competition, the fishing competition (Haddaq), and the new ‘Al Nahham’ competition, which is held within the studios of the Information Affairs Authority.
This makes it a comprehensive national event that enhances the spirit of belonging and consolidates Bahrainis’ connection to their historical roots.
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