3216 Camels Compete in the “Haqa’iq” at the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival
At the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival, the Haqa’iq events showcased an exciting competition with the participation of 3,216 camels, highlighting the talents of participants in the designated heats for tribal camels. This event, attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Camel Racing Club, revealed a range of promising talents in the world of camel racing and captivated audiences with the creativity of the competitors and the impressive performances of the camels.
Top Winners in the Haqa’iq Competitions
The winner, “Asriya,” owned by Naif Salah Musleh Al Suhaili, achieved remarkable success, claiming the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for open female camels in the first heat. “Asriya” recorded a time of 5:50.2 minutes, earning a cash prize of 1.5 million dirhams. Additionally, “Rayiq,” owned by Salem Saleem Al-Suqair Al-Wahibi, won the Dubai Crown Prince Gun for open male camels with a time of 5:47.6 minutes, receiving a cash prize of 1 million dirhams.
“Al-Shaden,” owned by Hamad Ali Salama Al-Hajri, also excelled in the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for production, clocking in at 5:48.3 minutes and winning 1 million dirhams. Meanwhile, “Al-Sharas,” owned by Salem Ali Maktoum Al-Junaibi, did not disappoint, winning the production male camels’ gun with a time of 5:46.5 minutes and securing 800,000 dirhams.
Exciting Competitions on the Final Day
The Haqa’iq competitions continued with morning challenges, featuring 20 heats, including 12 heats for the production category, spanning 4 kilometers. A standout participant was the camel “Taraf,” which finished the first heat for production female camels in a time of 5:52.7 minutes. “Hithal,” owned by Jamal Rashid Saeed Al-Ghafri Al-Falasi, also shone by completing the second heat in 5:54.8 minutes. Meanwhile, “Saraha,” owned by Hasen Manahi Mubarak Al-Braik Al-Dosari, delivered an outstanding performance, finishing first in the third heat with a time of 5:52.6 minutes.
Transparency in Organization and Winner Celebrations
The winner’s ceremony was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the presence of Ali Saeed bin Sarood, Executive Director of the Dubai Camel Racing Club. These events reflect the club’s significant commitment to supporting camel racing and providing a suitable environment for owners and participants to showcase their abilities.
The Heritage Village and Its Diverse Activities
The activities at the Al Marmoom Heritage Village continue alongside the festival, welcoming visitors daily with a rich program of heritage and entertainment. In this context, Abdullah Ahmed Faraj, Director of Media, Marketing, Events, and Partner Relations at the Dubai Camel Racing Club, stated that the village represents the continuation of the festival’s cultural identity. The events include traditional performances and crafts, enhancing the visitor experience.
With the presence of characters Midhish and Dana, the entertainment aspect for children is amplified, along with daily competitions and cash prizes. Heritage performances, such as the popular Ayala troupe, add a spirit of pride in Emirati heritage, making this festival a unique experience that contributes to strengthening social and cultural ties in the community.
Thus, the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival continues to offer events filled with fun and excitement, reflecting the authentic traditions of the UAE and its rich history in the sport of camel racing.