Camel Racing in Dubai
Camels, called the “Ships of the Desert,” have an indisputable place of prominence in UAE history. Camel-racing, a traditional sport, is extremely popular in the Emirates. It was originally staged in an informal setting, at weddings or special festivals, but now customized tracks have been built throughout the country where race meetings are held in the winter months from October to April, culminating in the annual camel race festival at Al Wathba which attracts entrants from all over the world.
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For centuries, the desert way of life remained unchanging, which included the high socio-economic importance of the camel. With the oil boom, parts of the region transformed and many aspects of traditional life disappeared. The camel maintained its symbolic significance while technology replaced the practical need for the animal. With the advent of wealth, the affected nations were introduced to Western lifestyle, technology, and luxury. The force of such powerful changes caused the gradual disappearance of time-honored traditions and customs, which awakened a sense of urgency when people realized their proud and rich history was fading away. The importance of holding on to those traditions that characterized the spirit of the region was revived, which included camel racing.
As a result, camel racing became a very popular pastime, developing into a much more formalized and professional form of racing which includes specialized breeding, intensive training programs, and technique. The rise of camel racing’s popularity can be seen as well in other parts of the world where the race has also begun to draw in sizeable crowds of spectators and influential patrons. The sport continues to grow and develop, spreading and gaining recognition in regions where camels are not generally common.
The president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, endorses camel racing and provides financial support for citizens who are caretakers of camels. Camel races take place on an annual basis, mostly during the late October to early April racing season and periodically throughout the year. The races generally take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays throughout the winter season or on 5-day races held in the UAE’s larger centers. Two races are the norm, with the morning race beginning at 7:30 AM and the afternoon race at 2:30 PM.
Camel racing is supported by the highest levels of UAE society, with President Zayed owning a personal stable consisting of 14,000 camels and 9,000 workers for their upkeep. Sheikh Mohammed, the Defense Minister of the UAE, owns 2,000 camels and maintains a reputation of his own for high performance on the racetracks. At the Nad al Sheba racetrack, the morning races consist primarily of camels owned by sheikhs, whereas the afternoon races are open to all. Sheikhs have been known to buy camels from owners who have won the afternoon races, offering large sums of money to acquire the victorious camel.
