Ships of the Desert Racing on Sand

By: Deepak Pereira, Mangalorean.com Team, Oman

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The Seventh Annual Camel race was held on the 21st of December 2006 at the Seih Al Tayyibat Camel Race track in the Wilayat of Saham.  His Highness. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi the Ruler of Ajman (one of the Emirates of UAE) was the chief guest.  This is the seventh year since the annual race started in Saham.

The Camel Race is a traditional sport event that brings all the race lovers to Saham from different wilayats or towns.  We have covered this event once earlier on Mangalorean.com.  However, this time I was lucky enough to get special permission to enter the Race Course to capture some thrilling moments, as they do not allow any outsiders to take photographs of the race other than the local News coverage persons.

There were seven different races conducted depending upon the age of the camel. Each winner was awarded with a Brand New Toyota Hilux 2006YM as a prize. There were six different winners from different wilayats.  The seventh winner was given a cash prize.

More than a hundred camels participated in the race.  People from different wilayats came to witness and participate in the event.  They were from the Wilayats of Saham, Sohar, Barka, Suwaiq, Bidiya, Bidhaya, Al Khamil, Behala, Sur , Al Mudhebi, Adam , Buraimi, Shinas, Khaboora, Mahoot and Jallan Bani Bu. 

The Ruler of Ajman was praised for his generosity and helping the tradition to continue. He was praised with different folk songs and dance which were performed by the local troupes of Saham.
 
Ministers, Undersecretaries, Members of the State Council and Majilis al Shura, Sheikhs and other dignitaries were present during the event.

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