Taif, Saudi Arabia – August 10, 2024: The sixth edition of the Crown Prince Camel Festival officially commenced today, held under the esteemed patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. The month-long festival, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, will take place at the Taif Camel Square from August 10 to September 10, 2024.
The festival promises to be a grand spectacle of Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage, drawing a large number of local and international camel owners to compete in various categories, including Mafarid, Haqqa, Laqaya, Jatha'a, Thanaya, Heil, Zamoul, and Soudaniyat. With prizes exceeding SAR 56 million, the event has attracted widespread participation, reflecting the growing prestige of camel racing both within the Kingdom and internationally.
Over the course of 23 days, the festival will host a total of 610 races. The preliminary rounds, spanning the first 12 days, will feature 360 races, while the final stages will see an additional 250 races. The races are scheduled across two daily sessions, with the morning session starting at 6:30 am and the evening session at 3:00 pm, providing ample opportunity for enthusiasts to witness the thrilling competition.
In a statement marking the opening of the festival, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, expressed deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince for their unwavering support of the sports sector. He emphasized the significance of camel racing in the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and commended the leadership's dedication to preserving and enriching this traditional sport.
Prince Fahd bin Juluwi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaid, Deputy President of the International Camel Federation, President of the Saudi Camel Federation, and Vice Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, also extended his heartfelt thanks to HRH the Crown Prince. He praised the Crown Prince's patronage of the festival and his commitment to the advancement of camel racing, which has become a symbol of pride for the Kingdom.
As the Crown Prince Camel Festival gets underway, it stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia's deep-rooted traditions and the Kingdom's efforts to celebrate and promote its cultural heritage on a global stage. The festival not only honors the ancient practice of camel racing but also fosters a sense of unity and pride among participants and spectators alike.
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