UAE camel racing to resume following a five-month hiatus
The United Arab Emirates announced the resumption of camel racing, coupled with precautionary guidelines, which is among the most popular sports in the Gulf with prizes sometimes reaching millions of dollars.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced in May the resumption of camel racing in July after the coronavirus crisis suspended the sport of millionaires.
Camel racing has been part of the UAE’s heritage for many decades with camels being regarded as companions and prized by the Bedouins. “Owning a camel depends on the breed, but it can cost up to $200,000 a year to run a camel farm with about four camels. Again it depends on the kind of camels — some cost more than others,” Abdullah al-Falasi, director of marketing and media partnerships and events for the Dubai Camel Racing Club, told Al-Monitor by phone.
The season is usually from September to April, but it was cut short this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The traditional races will resume at Dubai’s Marmoum racetrack following the five-month suspension.
Falasi noted, “Dubai will start at the end of August, but Abu Dhabi will have a race in July.”
