Article Published: 04 April 2008

One of our many goals here at the website is to continuously supply our readers with articles of champion fanciers in and around the Cape area. Even though it is very insightful and can be a great learning curve to those struggling fanciers or beginners we feel that we shouldn’t loose focus of those up and coming fanciers and newcomers to the sport.

On Saturday 20 January 2007 the team visited a fancier by the name of Ismail Abrahams. It was an absolute pleasure doing an interview on this gentleman as he showed true passion to the sport and his birds. Just sitting in his company was exciting to hear how the sport of pigeon racing has changed his life for the better. He admits he is only a beginner and has still lots to learn but he thoroughly enjoys every minute of it.

Ismail is a member of Central Homing Society in Kensington which is affiliated to Cape Peninsula Homing Union and also falls under the Federated Board of Homing Unions. The club is now in existence for 54 years.

Photo Above: Ismail Abrahams at his loft

How did the interest in the sport come about and how did it start for you?
My brother in law introduced me to the sport. We were sitting in our yard when I told him I need a sport to calm me down as I was a biker and clubber. I just got married at the time so I had to settle down. That is when he suggested I go into pigeon racing. At that stage I honestly didn’t know the difference between a hen and a cock. My brother in law was then keen to show me the ropes as he raced and had to stop due to work and lack of time for the birds.

We then built a loft and came across an advert of an auction at a local pet shop. At that stage we just threw the birds together and allowed them to breed freely. I only bred and didn’t race but eventually joined CHS in 2002.

This hen was placed 2nd in the Federated Board race from Bloemfontein.

Do you have any original family of pigeons?
Of the birds/strains that I bought from the various auctions that I attended I purchased Janssen’s, Oscar de Vriendts and Putteries to mention a few. These strains I cross to get new blood and hopefully deliver champion racers.

System of flying? Young birds or Old birds?
I split my hens and cocks and race straight to the perch. In my 1st and 2nd year I only raced young birds. I lost a lot of my birds in my first two seasons. In the last 3 years I raced old birds as well.

How do you go about training your birds?
Prior and up until 2 to 3 months into the racing season I train my birds myself with distances ranging from 20 to 100 km. Thereafter they go on the training truck which operates during the season. It is very important that my birds are taken over the mountain range prior to the racing season.

Is there any health program that you follow?
I vaccinate my birds for paramyxo virus as well as pigeon pox prior to the racing season. I keep it simple and only medicate when necessary.

Feeding?
I buy a commercial mixture and feed my birds only that except on race returns when I feed a light mixture.

Highlights and memorable performances of your racing career?
My first race win was 2 seasons ago when I actually won the race on Federation level as well from Beaufort West. It was exciting as everybody else around me was winning races and suddenly I won.

My most memorable race was last season in 2006 when I ended 2nd in the Board from Bloemfontein [Article Published on: 11/10/2006 Click to Read More about this Race]. It was a smash and there were only 9 birds through on the day in Cape Town. This was my highest achievement and hopefully not the last.

Advice to beginners?
I still consider myself a beginner and I’m still learning everyday wherever I can. My advice to fanciers like myself is to continuously read as much material as what you can get your hands on to improve your knowledge on the sport. Use your own logic and stick to the basics.

We thank Ismail for his time and wish him the best of luck for the new 2007 season and hope that he experiences many more memorable occasions in the sport with his feathered friends.

Article by Marcelino Philander and Candice Manuel.