‘Shahean‘, owned by Saad bin Hamen al Jenaibi from Oman dominated the high-profile round for 12 km in the fourth day competition during the sixth edition of Al Bashayer Annual Camel Festival 2023.
The camel festival is being organised by the Al Bashayer Square Department for Arab Camels at the Al Bashayer camel racing track in the Wilayat of Adam, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, from February 13 to 18.
A large number of camels from Oman and GCC countries are competing in 74 rounds to win 20 cars, 15 icons including the gold and silver sword.
On Thursday, the morning activities include six rounds with prize of dagger and cash for top ten, three rounds allocated for ‘Thanaya’ category, which is five years for 8 km and four rounds allocated for ‘Al Hool’ category, which is above six years old for 8 km.
‘Shawahean’ snatched the opening race and the dagger for the ‘Thanaya’ category, owned by Ali bin Mohammed al Muqbali. The second race was claimed by ‘Al Galey’ owned by Abdullah bin Tewairish al Wahibi, and ‘Baynoanah’ finished fastest in the third race, owned by Mohammed bin Mubarak al Shamsi from UAE, with the best category record of 13 minutes and 14 seconds.
‘Lamya’ owned by Sultan bin Hamoud al Gahafi, won the main race and dagger in ‘Al Hool’ category and recorded the best time of 13 minutes and 12 seconds. ‘Al Nawee’ won the second race, owned by Abdullah bin Tuwairish al Wahibi (the second win), the third race was claimed by ‘Zafaranah’ owned by Sultan bin Humaid al Wahibi, while ‘Ghazween’ finished first in the last race, from Hijen Al Bashayer, owned by HH Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said and trained by Obaid bin Mohammed al Wahibi.
HUMAR RIDER RACES
The afternoon period was allocated for human rider races, two of them for 1,500 metres with cash prize for the top ten, and main round for 12 km with car prize for the winner and cash prize for the top ten.
‘Afaal’ snatched the first round, owned by Sultan bin Sulayem al Jahwari, while ‘Takteam’ was ranked top in the second race, also owned by Sultan bin Sulayem al Jahwari and recorded 2 minutes and 19 seconds.
Camel owner Sultan bin Sulayem al Jahwari, father of the rider in the first and second race for 1,500 metres, said: “We thank Allah for this great achievement because it's in great gathering from all GCC countries. The competition was strong as the distance was short so any little mistake or late in the race order affects your chances.”
“On the other hand, we would like to thank the festival organisers for adding the human rider to the festival activities. Due to this factor, most youth keep practicing camel riding,” he added.
In the 12 km race, the competition was very strong, all the participants actively taking part in the first 8 km. The last one km saw a stiff contest as the energy levels of camels and riders fell amid the focus on the prize. ‘Shahean’ reached the finish line to take the honours. It was trained by Sulayem bin Salim al Ghailani.
The festival accompanying activities included various stalls from governmental, private and public, which are Small and Medium Enterprises corner, Development Authority, arts, traditional village and children’s village, in addition to stage for singing and poetry evenings, the Zaffin Al Bashayer competition (fencing), a traditional shooting competition and tourist camel caravan.
On the sidelines of the festival, the traditional Ardha (show run) was also held in the evening, in which two camels run together in the same line for 400 metres controlled by a rider in a special performance sport that requires skills.
After the afternoon races, Dr Abdullah bin Salim al Jenaibi, the festival manager, crowned the fourth day winner.
The evening activities were held under the auspices of Eng Ibrahim bin Said bin Khalaf al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage.
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