Taif Hosts The 6th Edition Of The Crown Prince Camel Festival Today

The sixth edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival begins today, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The event, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, will be held at the Taif Camel Square from August 10 to September 10.

The festival will feature preliminary rounds lasting for 12 days. The event is divided into two daily sessions: a morning session starting at 6:30 am and an evening session beginning at 3:00 pm. A significant number of local and international camel owners will compete in various categories including Mafarid, Haqqa, Laqaya, Jatha'a, Thanaya, Heil, Zamoul, and Soudaniyat.

Throughout the 23-day festival, a total of 610 races will be conducted. This includes 360 races during the preliminary rounds and 250 races in the final stages. Competitors will vie for prizes exceeding SAR56 million.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince. He acknowledged their support for the sports sector in general and camel racing in particular.

Statements from Officials

Deputy President of the International Camel Federation, President of the Saudi Camel Federation, and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee Prince Fahd bin Juluwi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaid also extended his thanks to HRH the Crown Prince. He appreciated the special attention given to camel racing.

The festival aims to preserve and enrich the Kingdom's cultural heritage while promoting sports activities within Saudi Arabia. The event is expected to draw large crowds and foster a sense of community among participants and spectators alike.

"The support from our leaders is invaluable," said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal. "Their dedication to preserving our cultural heritage through events like this is commendable."

The Crown Prince Camel Festival continues to be a significant event in Saudi Arabia's sporting calendar. It not only celebrates camel racing but also highlights traditional practices that are integral to Saudi culture.

With inputs from SPA