The second stop of the traditional “Ardhah” camel races was hosted today at Shouf Al-Ain Square, in the Wilayat of Bidiyah in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, with the participation of more than 200 camels. The camel race is held as part of the activities of the winter tourist season, which are currently witnessing a great influx of foreign tourists and visitors from within the Sultanate.

The participated camel owners came from Bidiyah and the provinces of Ibra, Al-Qabel, Al-Kamil, Al-Wafi, Jalan Bani Bu Ali and Jalan Bani Bu Hassan. The events of the race took place at six o’clock in the morning upon the arrival of the camel owners to the field, dressed in traditional clothing including the Omani Khanjars. Upon arrival at the field, the old and young audience chanted beautiful traditional songs of Humbel Al-Bush and Al-Taghrud. Camel owners lined up in circle in preparation for the race runs, which included jogging in front of a crowd on both sides of the field for this traditional sport.

Al-Rasheed Hamad bin Hilal Al-Hajri, coordinator of the camel racing committee in the state, said: “The start of the second race comes in light of following and applying the precautionary measures related to the Corona pandemic, including the application of physical distancing. I am grateful that these sports and tradition events continue on a weekly basis, amid a wide participation of camel owners in the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiya, which is within the continuous interest in reviving traditional sports and highlighting them in different seasons, including the current tourist season, in support and encouragement for camel owners to preserve and upkeep the Omani heritage.” Al-Hajri pointed out that the racing field witnessed a large audience of sports enthusiasts from various states of the Sultanate.