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Senior officials said the event was held to encourage more awareness of the importance of animals in local culture
Photo courtesy: Anil Kumar
Car and 4WD camel racing enthusiasts cheered on their favorite camels by honking and driving along the sides of the track in the National Day Marathon preliminaries at the Dubai Camel Racing Club’s Al Marmoom circuit.
Organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), the race featured expats and Emirati men and women competing in various categories of traditional camel racing. The 6km race for Emirati jockeys is divided into two categories according to age, while the 1500m race is for foreign jockeys.
“This is our third year organizing the competition,” said Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, chief executive of HHC.
“When we started the race, it was a way of encouraging people across the UAE to learn more about the importance of camels in local culture. However, over the past three years, we’ve been impressed by how many people have come forward to get involved surprise.”
fight for victory
For Meriam Sehrewerdi, it was a chance encounter that led her to horse racing. “I happened to come across a poster calling for those interested in the 2021 camel trek,” she said. “I signed up for the race and was selected last December. Then I realized I really like riding camels, so I started racing.”
The American of Iraqi and Syrian descent, who came first in the 2,000-meter Expat Camel Trek category, said she encouraged other women to try camel racing. “I think it’s an amazing sport and I always ask other women to try it out,” she said. “Everyone should try it at least once in their life.”
Camel racing is a popular traditional sport that has recently grown in popularity among expatriates living in the UAE. Camel jockey Abdullah in the men’s division said his performance wasn’t as good as he wanted it to be. “I’m fifth today,” he said.
“I wanted to be in the top three, but it didn’t happen. Hopefully I can do better next time.”
According to Abdullah, diet and physical activity are an integral part of his training. “I spend at least an hour a day riding a camel about 10 kilometers,” he said. “I’m also very careful with my diet. The lighter you are, the better you perform on the camel. So, I’m very careful with what I eat.”
For many at the event, it was the first time they had witnessed a camel race. Pascal, from France, who has been in the UAE for less than a year, said he enjoyed watching the games.
“I’ve never seen a camel race before. I came with my wife because I wanted to learn more about the culture of the UAE because of the National Day. Tomorrow, we will go to the museum in Bur Dubai to learn more about the history of the country. I really enjoyed myself, “He says.
Meanwhile, student Greta, who attended the event with parents Christine and Olaf, was cheering on a teacher who is one of her jockeys.
“I’ve lived with her for three years, but this is the first time I’ve watched a camel race. It’s a very new experience for me. My teacher came in second, so I’m very happy. I cheered so much.” So much so that now my voice is a little hoarse,” Greta said.
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