Known as the “ ship of the desert” , camels have been an integral part of Oman’s culture and heritage and are also renowned in Arab history as a racing animal. Camel racing competitions have been held across the Sultanate of Oman for centuries.
They have played a vital role in the region over thousands of years, impacting all aspects of daily desert life. Besides being a means of travel, food and shelter, camels are also used for entertaining, celebrating and competing in festivals and special events Camel racing is a popular sport where camels compete on tracks specially built for this kind of race.
According to Oman’s Ministry of Tourism, “Camel racing is an authentic Arab sport, famous especially among the Arabian Peninsula Arabs. Camel racing has evolved into an official and professional race that includes racetracks, specialised farms for raising camels and running intensive training programmes, as well as using new technologies.”
Camels draw crowds from all over the Sultanate.
The sight of a jockey and his mount working as one towards a finishing line that seems at the same time so close, yet so far, provides an indescribable thrill and an almost mystical sense of magic that is just not possible to replicate in the modern world.
Recently Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, gave directives to hold camel races at the Sultanate’s level from 29 October to 1 November 2021. The event is organised by Oman Camel Racing Federation from 29 October until 1 November 2021 at the Royal Camel Corps Racecourse in Al Fulaij, Barka.
