The Board of Directors of the International Camel Racing Federation, chaired by His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, held its fourth meeting in the Bahraini capital, Manama, amid a remarkable attendance of the Board members, in a step aimed at strengthening institutional work and pushing camel racing towards broader global horizons.
A busy agenda to enhance international presence
The meeting addressed a range of strategic agenda items, reviewing periodic reports on the activities and programs implemented by the federation during the past period. Several important organizational and administrative matters were also discussed, along with innovative proposals aimed at supporting the federation's progress and enhancing its presence in international sporting events, thereby ensuring the standardization of regulations and systems governing this long-established sport.
Historical context: From folklore to global sports
These meetings come at a time when camel racing is undergoing a radical transformation, having moved from being a local folk tradition linked to Bedouin life in the Arabian Peninsula to a professional sport enjoying increasing international attention. The International Camel Racing Federation, headquartered in Riyadh, has been working since its inception to regulate this sport according to international standards, preserve purebred camel lineages, and export this rich cultural heritage to the world, reflecting Arab and Islamic identity on the world stage.
The importance of the event and its regional and international impact
This meeting is of particular importance given the growing role of the Gulf states in supporting traditional sports. Locally and regionally, these initiatives contribute to strengthening the sports economy and heritage tourism, and creating promising investment opportunities in the camel sector. Internationally, the Federation's efforts aim to include camel racing in the global sporting calendar and introduce other cultures to the values of horsemanship and fair competition associated with this sport, thereby enhancing the soft power of member states.
Governance and sustainability: pillars of future work
During the meeting, His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi emphasized the importance of the current phase the Federation is going through, stressing the need to continue working as a unified team. He also pointed to the importance of making well-considered decisions that contribute to establishing the principles of governance and transparency, and developing camel racing on sustainable foundations that ensure its continuity and development for future generations.
Thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board of Directors expressed its appreciation for the significant support provided by the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Heritage Sports Committee. They commended the warm welcome, excellent organization, and generous hospitality extended to the delegation, which greatly contributed to the success of the meeting. The Board also affirmed its commitment to continuing the implementation of approved plans and strengthening cooperation with continental and international federations to achieve the Federation's ambitious goals.
