Doha, September 12 (QNA) - The Katara International Hunting and Falconry Exhibition (S'hail 2026) brought the curtain down on its 10th edition Saturday evening.

The exhibition drew more than 80,000 visitors featuring broad international participation, marking a decade of phenomenal growth that has made it one of the leading specialized gatherings for falconry, hunting and heritage, as well as a platform that brings together authenticity, innovation, the economy and tourism.

General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) and Chairman of the S'hail Exhibition's Supreme Organizing Committee, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, recognized committee members, competition winners, sponsors and supporting entities. DTS, the owner of Pavilion A16, won the award for Best Participating Pavilion, valued at QAR 15,000.

The Best Garage award went to Desert Engine, with a prize of QAR 15,000.

In the Best Falcon Hood competition, hood No. 7 from Al-Hur shop took first place, followed by hood No. 10 from Rahi Al Nawader shop in second place and hood No. 13 from Al-Shuail shop in third place.

The 10th edition welcomed high-level official visits, underscoring the stature S'hail has attained and its leading role in supporting Qatari heritage and strengthening its presence on both the domestic and international stages.

The visits also reflected the attention the exhibition receives from officials, entities and institutions, underscoring its growing role as a platform that brings together heritage, the economy, tourism, commerce and innovation.

The closing day featured a packed program, headlined by the conclusion of the S'hail Falcon Auction, which drew strong interest from falconers and enthusiasts at home and abroad and featured fierce competition for a collection of prized and rare falcons.

The strong bidding provided further confirmation of the auction's growing standing as one of the exhibition's marquee events and one of its biggest draws for specialists and enthusiasts.

Vice Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the Exhibition, Mohammed bin Abdul Latif Al Misnad, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the 10th edition had achieved tremendous success, noting that public turnout remained strong from the opening day through the exhibition's final hours.

Al Misnad added that the exhibition marked the launch of a new falconry and hunting season and provided enthusiasts with a wide range of needs, from birds and falcons to supplies and equipment for hunting treks, as well as vehicle outfitting and other requirements.

He explained that the bird auction is the crown jewel of the exhibition and one of its marquee events, given the strong interest and turnout it attracts.

Al Misnad further emphasized that the auction offers falconers an opportunity to acquire some of the finest birds and partridges from around the globe in one place.

The record turnout throughout the exhibition demonstrates the level of interest in S'hail and confirms that the goals set for this edition were fully achieved, whether in terms of attendance, meeting enthusiasts' needs or the accompanying events, Al Misnad underlined.

Al Misnad further stated that the committee has already begun thinking about the next edition, saying the success of this edition places a responsibility on the committee to continue developing the exhibition and deliver a new edition that meets the expectations of participants and visitors while further cementing S'hail's stature as an international gathering that brings together falconers and hunting and falconry enthusiasts from around the globe. 

For his part, Director of S'hail Abdulaziz Al Buhaishim said the event wrapped up after five days of events, delivering significant results and indicators that underscore its success and further strengthen its standing on the international specialized exhibition circuit.

Al Buhaishim noted that the number of visitors exceeded 80,000, alongside strong commercial activity across the various pavilions and substantial public interest and turnout.

Al Buhaishim further pointed out that he observed this commercial activity during his tours of the exhibition's pavilions, as well as at the S'hail Falcon Auction, the centerpiece of the exhibition, which showcased some of the finest and rarest falcons.

He highlighted that S'hail continues to strengthen its identity as a phenomenal exhibition serving hunting, desert hunting and falconry enthusiasts, in addition to vehicle outfitting and camping, emphasizing that the objective is no longer simply to hold a commercial exhibition, but to build a specialized forum that brings together enthusiasts and stakeholders from various countries.

The organizing committee has been committed to showcasing S'hail in the right light and maintaining its identity, Al Buhaishim remarked, stating that the results achieved this year underscore the exhibition's success in meeting its objectives and reflect the level of organization of this edition.

For her part, Member and Secretary of the Supreme Organizing Committee of S'hail 2026, Malika Mohammed Al Shraim, said the 10th edition garnered much-heralded media traction through multiple activities from its launch through its conclusion, contributing to a comprehensive picture of the event, which has beefed up its position on the international exhibition circuit specializing in falconry, hunting and heritage.

Al Shraim lauded the role played by domestic, Arab and international media outlets, along with digital platforms and social media, in covering the activities of S'hail 2026 and strengthening awareness of its various segments.

She elucidated that the media had incredibly pulled off projecting S'hail as something that goes beyond the concept of a conventional exhibition by spotlighting its role as a platform that brings together falconry, heritage, the economy, tourism and innovation, while creating opportunities for engagement among companies, specialists and enthusiasts interested in this heritage from around the globe.

The organizing committee views the media as a strategic partner in S'hail's continued development, given its pivotal role in delivering the exhibition's message, strengthening its presence and raising the international profile of Qatari heritage, Al Shraim underlined.

Overall, the 10th edition demonstrated the exhibition's expanded scope and greater breadth through participation that went beyond traditional hunting and falconry products and supplies to include sustainable hunting experiences, logistics services and the protection of archaeological sites.

Over a full decade, S'hail has charted a sustained trajectory of passion, heritage and innovation, emerging as one of the world's leading specialized gatherings for falconry, hunting and heritage. (QNA)