FIFTY Bahraini camel riders are participating in the seventh edition of the Saudi Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif, with a prize money of more than 50 million Saudi Riyals (BD5 million) up for grabs.
The festival, which kicked off yesterday, featured 92 rounds on its first day for the Hagayeg category, covering a total distance of 184km spread over three days with morning and evening sessions.
According to the official programme of the Saudi Camel Federation, the festival, which continues until September 12, will stage a total of 249 races across multiple categories: Mafareed, Hagayeg (92 races), Lagaya (64 races), Jezaa (40 races), Thanaya (24 races), and Heel and Zoomool (24 races).
Participating camels will cover a total distance of 950km, in addition to five races (three for men and two for women camel riders).
The Taif Camel Square is the only one among 45 camel racing tracks in the country that is built to the highest international standards and equipped with solar-powered lighting.
The festival seeks to instil camel racing in popular consciousness and support its renewed presence and will conclude with the Crown Prince Camel Festival Cup.
Bahrain’s participation affirms the kingdom’s continued presence in prominent GCC and international events for authentic heritage sports.
It also reflects the kingdom’s deep historical ties with Saudi Arabia, and the two kingdoms’ joint co-operation in preserving heritage and strengthening Arab identity.
The inaugural edition in 2018 was held under the patronage of Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
It has since then won five local and international awards including four Guinness World Records and the Makkah Award for Economic Excellence.
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