Camel Racing in UAE

Camel Racing in UAE

Camel racing is a traditional Arab sports ancient and present, in UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to supported all the heritage sports such as camel racing, marine racing, and horse racing. He harnesses the necessary capabilities to take these sports its proper place. In the zone of camel racing, Sheikh Zayed keens to start support the camel extreme importance in the citizens lives. In the past, camels as the most important method of transportation, as well camels were and still the source of food (milk and meat).

Camels still important to UAE citizens, but at the present time with the to technological development camels are no more used to conveyance. However some residents of rural areas and the countryside (Bedouins) still care about camels. Bedouins still raise camels up to these days, as they have been supported from the Sheiks to revive this ancient heritage.

I interviewed my grandfather Salem Al Hajri and took some valuable information about camel racing between the past and now.

§   How long have you raised up camels?

From about 37 years

§   How were the camels breeding in the past?

It was not only breeding, camels were the only way of transportation as well the main source of milk and meat.

§  Since when camel racing started in UAE?

I don’t remember the year exactly but it was long time ago, even before the union.

§  Since when camel racing got a support from the UAE Sheiks?

Exactly 1993, Camel Racing association established in 1993 as the president of the association is Sheikh Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

§  How does camel racing exhibitions changed in UAE?

In the past, camels racing were just in some specific places in UAE like Suwaihan, Al Wathba, Al Marmoom, Nad Al Sheba and some other places. The possibilities of camel’s owners were limited and not every one can train his camels correctly to get to the race.

§  What were the prizes before?

As well the prize before were just 30,000Dhs for the first rank, 20,000Dhs for the second and 10,000Dhs for the third rank.

§  What about the prizes in present?

Now days in Sheikh Zayed Grand Prix yearly Camel Festival in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi, the festival still for 5 days. With the participation of 10 thousand camels owners compete over 155 rounds and with a total prize of up to 30 million dirhams. The first three ranks get the prize in cash in addition to a car (The car type depends on the rank) while the others (up to rank 20) get only money and also depend on the rank.

§  Is Sheikh Zayed Grand prix the only event in the UAE?

No, there are a lot of different events allover the UAE with different prizes and different times.

§  Referring to Camel racing association (CRA), what are their achievements since they established?

There are 20 main camel racetracks; in addition there are also secondary tracks that are used for practice runs.  These tracks are scattered allover the UAE. As well children are not allowed to ride camels in the race because there are a lot of injures in the past years. Plus CRA started to put electronic chip to define the camel and its owner.

Robot

§  Instead of the children, who is riding the camel now in the race?

Since 2002 they started to use robot jockeys

§  How long is the track?

The main range is from 4k to 10k and some of them 12k.

§  From your side, what do you think about CRA?

CRA changed a lot of thinks, they started to take care more about camels and camel’s owners.

§  What is the procedure to participate in the race?

First of all the camel goes to a committee of inquiry to see what is the status of the camel if it fits to the standers. The main standers consider the camel’s health and if there is no manipulations with the medicines before it enters the race.

§  Would you recommend any one to enter Camel-racing competitions?

Who wants to enter camel racing failed must be familiar with camels and bred and take care of them. Although it is an opportunity for the young generations to learn about the traditions because camel breeding not only about the race, its an area where the youth can learn more about the heritage.

In conclusion there are a lot if changes in camel racing field, in my view these changes are helpful for the camels owners. In the past there was no Camel racing association while since 1992 this association manages and  arranges races, as well it assigns laws commensurate with the owners of the camel and the animal rights association.