The two-day 14th Camel Racing Festival under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and President of Emirates Heritage Club, will be held in Sweihan from today.
Organised by the Emirates Heritage Club, this traditional sport is held twice a year and for this edition there will be a total of 26 competitions, 12 races on the first day and 14 tomorrow.
The races are open only to UAE nationals and each rider and camel can enter only in one race. Competitions are held for different age groups with the oldest being the category for riders aged 60-70 years.
The distances vary according to the age group of the riders and the Higher Organising Committee said in a press release that the minimum age was 10 years and above.
The winner of each of the races will get Dh 20,000 and a golden sword. From second place onwards, the next nine riders will get awards starting with Dh 18,000 with each lower placed rider getting Dh 2,000 less in descending order.
Shaikh Sultan is expected to attend the function along with other Shaikhs and officials and distribute the prizes. The Emirates Heritage Club has over the years focused on traditional sport and besides camel racing the club also organises races for dhows ands rowing boats apart from endurance.
The racing action starts at 2pm and is expected to extend up to 5pm.
The Club has organised transport for the general public and these AC buses will leave for the racing venue at 11am from the club, situated near the Zayed University for Girls in Abu Dhabi.
For more information the number to contact is 02-4456456 or 050-6711416.
