In pictures: Camel racing storms back in Sinai after COVID-19 hiatus

Spread out at the foot of a vast plateau in the Sinai desert, hundreds of excited Bedouins gathered to race their camels after a six-month break due to coronavirus.

Shrouded in a vast sand cloud kicked up by the hump-backed beasts, more than 500 camels were loudly cheered on by their owners dressed in traditional jalabiyas and headdresses.

Camel racing is a popular traditional sport in many Arab countries, most notably in the Gulf region. And in Egypt, Bedouins of the South Sinai desert have kept up the tradition.

But race events have been suspended since March following the Covid-19 outbreak, and orders only came down at the beginning of the month that they could resume last weekend.

The camels ran around a two-kilometre (1.2-mile) track in the Tih plateau, completing it in a matter of minutes, as they were followed by spectators and owners riding in SUVs to get a close-up glimpse of the action.

The competition "is a training for the international race, which should take place in October in Sharm el-Sheikh," Saleh al-Muzaini, head of the Nuweiba camel club, told AFP.

One group of camels after another, placed in different categories according to age and whether they were male or female, made their debut on the dirt track lined by sand embankments on each side.

In a different race, young boys mount the camels to complete a 10-kilometre course.

People watch a camel race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

A young jockey prepares to take part in a camel race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

A group of men watch a camel race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

Camels run on a dirt track during a race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

Camels prepare for a race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

Camels prepare before they take part in a race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.

People watch a camel race in Egypt's South Sinai desert.