The sixth Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif, organized by the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, concluded with resounding success on Wednesday. Makkah Deputy Emir Prince Saud bin Mishaal presided over the closing ceremony on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The festival featured four competitive races, with 107 elite camels from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations competing for financial prizes totaling more than SR57 million.
Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince for his patronage of the festival, highlighting his commitment to advancing the sports sector and preserving camel racing as a cherished part of Saudi heritage. The sixth edition of the festival aligns with the designation of 2024 as the “Year of the Camel,” emphasizing the cultural significance of camels in the Kingdom’s history.
The festival serves as a platform for researchers and specialists to exchange knowledge on camels, their products, medical applications, and related industries, reinforcing the importance of this heritage locally and internationally. The final round of the festival set new records for the market value of participating camels, reaching a total value of SR481.5 million.
In the “Hil and Zamoul” category, 107 camels competed in the final stage, with an average price per camel of SR4.5 million, reflecting the exceptional quality and demand for these magnificent animals. The festival began on August 10 with 21,637 participating camels and culminated in four thrilling final rounds, showcasing the beauty and athleticism of these animals.
Beyond the races, the festival generated significant economic activity, with the value of sold camels exceeding SR377 million. This was fueled by over 700 transactions between local and international camel owners, as well as investors in the camel industry. The festival in Taif stands as testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving its heritage while driving economic growth, aligned with Vision 2030 and contributing to the nation’s diversification efforts.
