Emiratis Al Shamsi and Yahya Al Ketbi dominate 2nd preliminary race of National Day Camel Marathon

Suad Ibrahim Darwish: The strength of competition raises the level of anticipation for the main event in January

Dubai,UAE

Sallam Sallam

Emiratis Sultan Salem Al Shamsi and Yahya Ali Al Malai Al Ketbi dominated the 2nd preliminary race for the sixth edition of National Day Camel Marathon, organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC).

The second preliminary race was held over the weekend at Dubai’s Al Marmoom racetrack as part of preparations for the main camel marathon next month that will be held in conjunction with the Arabian Camel Festival, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The National Day Camel Marathon, which is exclusive to Emiratis, has two categories — one for camel racers 30 years and below; and another category for those above the age of 30. The level of competition was high during the 6km preliminary races that were witnessed by spectators from various nationalities.

Winners

With 46 contestants, Sultan Salem Al Shamsi topped the U-30 category 6km race, riding his camel named ‘Latam’ with a time of 10 minutes and 34.36 seconds. Coming very close in second place were Abdullah Muhammad Al Ketbi riding ‘Shaheen’ and Saeed Muhammad Al Asri Al Khabaili with ‘Mubasher’, who both finished at 10 minutes and 34.67 seconds.

With 11 contestants, in the above 30-year old category, Yahya Ali Al Malai Al Ketbi, who won in the first preliminary race, again displayed his superiority on board ‘Ramas’ with a time of 11 minutes and 21.96 seconds. At distant second place was Saeed bin Ghoneim Al-Ketbi and his camel ‘Al Ittihadi’ with a time of 11 minutes and 32.06 seconds; while finishing in third was Yahya’s brother, Khamis Ali Al Ketbi, who rode ‘Menhash’ and finished at 11 minutes and 44 seconds.

Al Shamsi said he is looking forward to being crowned first place in the main race next month while Al Ketbi promised to keep his winning streak.

Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, congratulated the winners and said the success of the preliminary races were made possible because of the continued efforts and cooperation of all the participants.

She added: “The strength of competition raises the level of anticipation for the main event in January. Camel racing is one of the most enduring centuries-old traditional sports in the UAE. The National Day Camel Marathon is aimed at safeguarding our intangible cultural heritage and encouraging Emiratis to participate in traditional sports in an atmosphere that exudes a sense of national pride and community spirit.”