Speed and tradition came together during the camel racing event held at the Equestrian Endurance Village, part of the Asian Youth Games, which this year reached its third edition under the organization of the Olympic Council of Asia in Bahrain. On Monday, the men’s and women’s 500-meter finals took place, the only races of this discipline on the program, with a clear dominance by athletes from the United Arab Emirates.

Camel racing is one of the oldest sports in the Middle East. Its origins go back to the caravans and tribal festivities of the desert, and over time it evolved into organized competitions in specialized racetracks. Today, the sport blends a passion for tradition with technological modernization: in major professional competitions in the Gulf (mainly the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia), jockeys have been replaced by small robot riders, although in youth and promotional events the more traditional format is still maintained.

“Today we have witnessed a historic moment in sport with the celebration, at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, of the first-ever camel race at an international multisport event. This milestone represents a major step forward for camelid sports, while showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the discipline and the diversity of the global sporting community across all five continents. I commend the young athletes for their remarkable spirit and extend my gratitude to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and to His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad, Chairman of the AYG organizing committee, for making this achievement possible,” stated His Highness Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi, President of World Camelids Sport.

Evolution of camel racing

This sport has undergone remarkable transformation in recent decades. From being a traditional spectacle linked to local festivities, it has become a discipline with international calendars, professional circuits, and advances in camel breeding and training. Today it combines tradition, cultural identity, and sporting projection, with the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain as its main hubs.

The inclusion of this discipline in the Asian Youth Games reflects the cultural importance of camel racing in the Gulf region. Bahrain, host of this edition, has turned the Equestrian Endurance Village into a key venue for showcasing equestrian and endurance sports tied to Arab identity.

Double gold for the UAE

The women’s final brought together eight competitors. Victory went to Latifa Mohammed Amer Hasheem Alashkhari of the United Arab Emirates, riding Hasheem, followed by her compatriot Aisha Alsaadi with Sarab. The podium was completed by Yemeni rider Imaan Mohammed Abdullah Salem, on Thameen. Host nation Bahrain managed to place two riders in the top 5, with Zainab Baroud Abdulwahed and Alanood Kamal, while Uzbekistan and Mongolia also featured in the final.

In the men’s final, with sixteen riders on the start line, Mohammed Umair Al-Rashedi claimed victory with the camel Ghantoot, securing the first gold for the United Arab Emirates. His compatriot Khalifa Alghfeli, with Al Garm, took second place, completing a historic one-two. The bronze went to Wasmi Sultan Albalawi of Saudi Arabia, riding Al Khaleej.

The men’s race featured a wide diversity of participating countries, with representation from Iraq, Mongolia, Jordan, India, Yemen, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, highlighting the international growth of this discipline across the Asian region.

Women’s Final – 500m

In the men’s final, with sixteen riders on the start line, Mohammed Umair Al-Rashedi claimed victory with the camel Ghantoot, securing the first gold for the UAE. His compatriot Khalifa Alghfeli, with Al Garm, finished second, completing a historic double. The bronze went to Wasmi Sultan Albalawi of Saudi Arabia, riding Al Khaleej.

The men’s race featured a wide diversity of participating nations, with athletes from Iraq, Mongolia, Jordan, India, Yemen, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan, underlining the growing international reach of this discipline across Asia.

Men’s Final – 500m