“Reflecting on what we achieved in Al Janadryah, this truly was a historic moment for World Camelids Sports and for the entire camel racing community”. The statement, firm and clear, comes from Mousa Alkam Qarqaran, Chief Operating Officer of World Camelids Sports, and captures the significance of camel racing’s debut at the Islamic Solidarity Games Riyadh 2025. The discipline took part for the first time in a senior multisport event, and the competitions held at the Al Janadryah track marked a decisive step forward in its international projection.
The debut was accompanied by Saudi Arabia’s dominance, collecting four gold and two silver medals in the 8,000-meter endurance races and the 2,000-meter sprints, in both men’s and women’s categories. The United Arab Emirates added five medals and Jordan completed the tally with a bronze, in competitions that showcased the technical level of the region’s jockeys.
Saudi dominance in the women’s races
The standout name of Riyadh 2025 was Kholud Alshammari, who on Wednesday, November 20, secured an unforgettable double gold. The Saudi rider won the 8,000-meter endurance race aboard Meblisg, ahead of compatriot Hadeel Alsharif on Adwan and the UAE’s Fatima Eidha Alameri. She later returned to the track to also claim the 2,000-meter sprint on Absher, completing the most dominant performance of the women’s programme.
In the men’s competition, Alard Sulaiman won the 8,000-meter endurance race with Bishaer, while Ahmed Aljohni, riding Joker, crossed the line just five seconds later. The UAE’s Matar Almheiri secured bronze aboard Moufqa. Aljohni rounded off his participation with a second medal, this time gold, by winning the 2,000-meter sprint on Shaheen, ahead of Rashid Abdullah Alkaabi on Makram and Almheiri on Ghazi.
A growing momentum for the discipline
Adding to the impact of Riyadh 2025 is the recent debut of camel racing at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025 and the sport’s official recognition by the Olympic Council of Asia, developments that have strengthened its regional expansion. The medals won by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan confirmed the competitive depth of the discipline at an event featuring the main powers of the region.
Later in his reflection, Qarqaran added: “We congratulate all the medal winners on their outstanding performances and every jockey who competed in these groundbreaking races. This successful inclusion at a senior multisport event has demonstrated the remarkable growth of our sport and validated the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead as we build momentum into 2026”.
