DT News takes a look into the world of cockfighting in Hamala

Manama

The sale of gamecocks has become a growing trend in Hamala, according to sources. The so-called “fighter birds”, known as gamecocks, are used in cockfighting – a sport that has been outlawed in most parts of the world. However, the sale of these birds in secluded areas in Hamala has become an increasing worry for animal-rights activists.

Cockfighting, which is a blood sport between two roosters, is held in a ring where two roosters fight till the death. The cock fighters, known as cockers, as well as spectators for the cockfight gamble and place their bet on-their preferred gamecocks.

The gamecocks are specially bred and conditioned to be aggressive, persevering and strong. These birds are known to be aggressive to all males of its own species, according to people familiar to the sport.

Remote farms in Hamala are being used to sell these birds. DT News visited an area in Hamala where numerous businesses were found to be selling these birds. The businesses are not advertised openly but Asian workers are hired as agents to scout the locality for potential customers.

One such agent told DT News that the roosters are sold for BD70 or more. He said that these birds are either locally bred or imported from Asian countries. The agent explained to DT News that he was tasked with bringing customers as well as taking care of the birds.

“The birds are fed well, and I take care of their needs personally,” he said. “They are caged separately, otherwise they would fight each other,” the agent, who did not wish to be identified, explained.

The birds are quite expensive because they are fighters – with cockfighting bringing in a huge chunk of revenue, explained another Asian agent, who goes by the name Jalal. When DT News contacted a business owner, he revealed that the sale of these “fighter” roosters were only a “side business” – the sale of fighter dogs, his major endeavour,  was much more lucrative.

A few people have raised their voices in protest of this “fighter bird” business. Animal-rights activist Fatima Ali called for a clampdown on the sale of such birds.

“Many of these birds spend the majority of its lives tethered by one leg near inadequate shelter, such as a plastic barrel or a small wire cage. The breeders abuse the birds by attaching weights to their legs, and making them practice fights with other roosters,” said the concerned Ali.

Many people in Bahrain are making money from the sales as well as cockfighting, she added, even trying to sell them online. Recently, DT News cam across an advertisement posted on the website expatriates.com for the sale of a nine-month-old “fighter” rooster priced at BD80. The authorities concerned were unavailable for comment at the moment.