Pulwama, July 11: An interdistrict pigeon racing tournament is in full swing at Dadoora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The tournament in which around 10 teams from different areas of this southern district are participating is being organised by Pigeon Keepers Association Pulwama.
The association was floated by Tariq Ahmad Wani along with Shamim Ahmad Wani three years ago. Tariq Ahmad Wani, defending Champion of the tournament, informed that this is the third edition of the tournament.
He said that the maiden edition of the tournament was won by Danish from Ratnipora village of Pulwama in 2021. Tariq emerged champion for the second edition of the tournament held in 2022.
“6 races have been conducted for the edition of the pigeon racing tournament so far and the final race is scheduled to be held on 14th of this month,” Tariq said.
He added that for each race a team is allowed to fly around 8 pigeons into the sky with option for substitute for those which get hurt by Falcons or rejected for landing within first three hours of the flight.
The pigeon fancier explained that cumulative flight time of all pigeons of a team is noted and recorded by on field empires.
The team which earns maximum hours of flight time is adjudged as winner.
Tariq, who has been attracted to pigeon keeping from an early age, informed that he has been participating in pigeon racing events in Baramulla and Srinagar.
The events prompted him to organise an interdistrict tournament in Pulwama.
“I assembled all pigeon keepers of Pulwama on one platform and floated Pigeon Keepers Association Pulwama,” he said, adding that they have around 25 members in the association.
He said that they have been organising the racing event from past three years to keep their passion of pigeon keeping alive.
