‘Tis the season for camel races

Our correspondent

While a good part of the world prepares for the Holiday season and the end of the year, the Arab world makes the most of the kinder weather and engages in outdoor sports like the camel race.

In Saudi Arabia, the King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival is a major cultural event that began on December 1 upon directives of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. However, a number of camel owners, participating in an ongoing festival, have now decided to cancel traditional celebrations as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.

The festival, held in Southern Sayahdah district, southeast of the capital Riyadh, draws over 1,800 participants annually including camel owners and fans from around the world.

Last week saw the successful conclusion of the Zayed Grand Prix camel race 2020, held at Al Wathba Camel Racetrack in Abu Dhabi, and attended by camel owners from the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

On December 9, the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum met participants on the last leg of their 550-km journey through the UAE desert. The camel caravan began their journey from Liwa’s Empty Quarters in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi on November 29 and they were on their way to their destination in the Heritage Village inside Dubai’s Global Village when they met Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai’s Al Marmoom area.

The camel trekkers comprised eight women and three men, from the UAE, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Russia, South Africa and Spain.

As many as 587 camels competed in 18 rounds in a 5-km challenge race for Sheikhs’ camels at Al Marmoom Camel Race Track which was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai on December 8.

The emirate of Sharjah established the Sharjah Camel Racing Club last month on the basis of an Emiri Decree issued by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The Club’s headquarters will be based in Al Dhaid and upon the approval of the Sharjah Sport Council, it may establish branches within and outside the emirate.