In a festive atmosphere reflecting the depth of the cultural heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Professor Mohammed bin Hammad Al-Balawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, crowned the winning owners with the “Laqaya” category cups, on the fourth day of the competitions of the third edition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, which is held on the grounds of the historic Janadriyah Field in Riyadh.
Historical background and deeply rooted sport
Camel racing is an integral part of Arab and Gulf heritage, having historically served as a means of transportation and a source of tribal pride. Over time, it has evolved into a highly popular and organized sport. In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, the Saudi leadership has prioritized this heritage, leading to the establishment of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation in 2018. The Federation's mission is to develop the sport, raise its organizational standards, and elevate it to international levels. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival stands as a prime example of this support, becoming one of the most prestigious and competitive camel racing events globally.
Details of the competitions and the prizes offered
The festival, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, will run for ten days, featuring a distinguished group of camel owners from within the Kingdom and abroad. The total prize money exceeds 75 million Saudi Riyals, distributed across five main categories. In addition, there are camel races for male and female riders, and the "Mazayin" competitions, which celebrate camel beauty and are included as part of the accompanying events, organized jointly with the Camel Club.
Results of the cup races for the “Laqaya” category
The “Laqaya” races witnessed great excitement, with the main races resulting in two victories for the UAE Presidential Camels. The camel “Al Wathba” won the title of the first race (open female camels) with a time of 7:31.586 minutes, while the camel “Al Shababi” won the title of the second race (open male camels) with a time of 7:28.892 minutes. In the general races, the camel “Jawaher,” owned by Emirati Mohammed Al Ketbi, won the title of the third race (general female camels) with a time of 7:28.987 minutes, while the camel “Al Tayyar,” owned by Emirati Maneh Al Shamsi, won the title of the fourth race (general male camels) with a time of 7:27.520 minutes, reflecting the strong participation from the Gulf countries and its impact on raising the level of competition.
Camel beauty contests
The events were not limited to the track speed competition, but also included the "beauty" rounds, for which prizes worth 2.7 million riyals were allocated. In the (individual young camels - female camels) category, the Saudi owner Nayef Al-Mutairi won first place in the "red" color with the female camel "Nouf", while the Saudi owner Saleh Al-Mutairi won first place in the "yellow" color with the female camel "Jamrah", amidst wide participation from owners who presented the finest of their purebred camels.
The economic and cultural importance of the festival
The festival is a major destination for camel owners and enthusiasts, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a custodian of this authentic heritage. Its impact extends beyond the sporting realm, serving as a significant economic driver by stimulating tourism and commerce in the region and supporting industries related to the camel racing sector. The generous support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince underscores the ambitious vision for developing this sector, fulfilling the aspirations of those involved, and solidifying its status as a national and international sport.
