Al Mina Pearl Diving competition brings children closer to Qatar’s rich past

Jun 22, 2023

The Katara Beach was a beehive of activity on Wednesday as 168 children, aged between 10 and 15 years, came together to compete in the fifth edition of the Al Mina Pearl Diving competition.

متسابقو #المِينَّى 2023 يبدئون المنافسات الصباحية لليوم الثاني من المسابقة #كتارا #قطر #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/8txgAzYxiT
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) June 22, 2023

The event, which is set to run until Friday, is expected to give the children a better understanding about how their ancestors lived and get a small experience about their way of life.

مشاهد من أجواء مسابقة #المِينَّى 2023 المنطلقة من #شاطئ_كتارا #كتارا #قطر #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/ioVFVzp7Bf
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) June 21, 2023

The children, wearing traditional marine dresses, gathered together at 4pm before moving to Gate No. 16 on the Katara waterfront. They then boarded sailboats and were divided into three categories — diving, hadaq, and fishing.

متسابقو #المِينَّى 2023 يتلقون الشرح عن أجزاء السفينه والحياة في البحر قديماً من لجنة المسابقة #كتارا #قطر #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/8sn14qsN39
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) June 21, 2023

“The event embodies an educational journey that represents a valuable opportunity for participating children to learn the values of cooperation, solidarity, self-reliance, endurance, patience and perseverance. The competition also gives participants rich and useful experience to learn about marine sciences,” said competition supervisor Saeed Al Kuwari.

مشاهد من أجواء مسابقة #المِينَّى 2023 المنطلقة من #شاطئ_كتارا #كتارا #قطر #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/VLvDSLp3iy
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) June 21, 2023

“The children will also get improve their knowledge of fishing, diving, navigation, weather conditions, wind speed and wave movement, in addition to sailing a boat,” he added.

صور من أجواء مسابقة #المِينَّى 2023 المنطلقة من #شاطئ_كتارا #كتارا #قطر #كتارا_ملتقى_الثقافات #كتارا_وجهة_ثقافية_سياحية pic.twitter.com/Bl1QDqmYAm
— كتارا | Katara (@kataraqatar) June 21, 2023

Traditional and ancient means and tools will be used by children during the competition. It will give them an opportunity to discover their maritime heritage.