RCC to purchase 10 camels at fourth camel racing

MUSCAT, NOV 2

The Royal Court Affairs, represented by Royal Camel Corps (RCC), has announced plans to purchase 10 camels during the fourth stage of the 2026–2027 camel racing season, scheduled to take place at Al Felaij Racecourse in Barka from November 8 to 12.

The purchases will include five Hagayeg, three Lagaya and two Edaa camels, as part of efforts to support and develop Oman's traditional camel racing sport.

Organised by the Oman Camel Racing Federation (OCRF), with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), the fourth stage will feature 87 races over five days, covering six age categories

The competitions will begin on Sunday, November 8, with 25 rounds for Hagayeg (two-year-old) over 3 km. On Monday, November 9, the programme will feature 11 rounds for Hagayeg over 4 km, alongside three rounds with human rider over 2 km.

Tuesday, November 24, will feature eight rounds for Lagaya (three-year-old) over 5 km. On Wednesday, November 11, competitions will include 12 rounds for Edaa over 6 km. The final day, Thursday, November 12, will feature six rounds for Thanaya (five-year-old) and six rounds for Al Hawl (six years and above), all over 6 km.

The fourth race will include qualifying rounds for the final race, His Majesty the Sultan's.

In a related development, the federation has opened pre-registration for the Al Dhahirah Governorate Camel Racing event, supported by Oman Shell and scheduled for Thursday, November 5. The event is exclusively open to camel owners from Al Dhahirah Governorate.

Meanwhile, the OCRF will sign an agreement with Occidental Oman (Oxy Oman) to support and develop camel racing during the 2026–2027 season.

The signing ceremony will take place at Intercity Hotel on Tuesday, under the auspices of Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, in the presence of officials and representatives of relevant organisations.

The agreement builds on the partnership between the federation and Oxy Oman to support traditional camel racing in concession areas, particularly in Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah and Al Wusta governorates. It also aims to strengthen private sector participation in sporting and heritage events while preserving and developing Oman's traditional camel racing heritage.