Camel Racing in Oman

Time spent watching this traditional sport is an extraordinary experience. Races are spread over several days, with different sprints organised daily for different age groups of camels. Races are held at tracks in As Seeb, Salalah, the Interior and Batinah regions during public holidays and National Day celebrations. Admission is free.

Camel racing is a popular sport in many countries including Australia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. It is an event for betting and forms part of the tourist attraction. This is a popular sport where camels compete at speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour on tracks specially built for this kind of race. Races take place regularly.

Camels have held a vital role as a means of transportation, food and clothing in the region for thousands of years and are prized possessions in Oman. Hence one can be assured of the fact that racing camels are treated repectfully in the Gulf region.

The sport is greatly similar to horse racing. Camel racing is an authentic Arab sport, famous especially among the Arabian Peninsula Arabs. Camel racing has evolved into an official and professional race that includes race tracks, specialised farms for raising camels and running intensive training programmes, as well as using new technologies.

Due to the encouragement shown by H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, considerable attention is paid to the annual National Camel Races Festival to enhance this genuine and ancient Omani traditional sport and impress upon Oman’s glorious history.

To ensure participation of all provinces and regions, The Royal Camels Unit involves all 11 Wilayats within the Sultanate in the planning of these events. The 2-day competition is among the best pure and authentic Arab camels. A Camel Festival is held on the final day at the Al-Fulaij racetrack, a property of The Royal Camel Corps, where the winning first three camels of the Wilayats race participate in the victory rounds. Find out the scedules and more about camel racing in Oman at the official government website. Read More>>