Year of the 50: Emirati women take part in UAE National Day camel marathon for the first time

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Khawla Al Balooshi and Hakima Ghaith competed in the Camel Marathon today at the Al Marmoom Race Track at the Dubai Camel Racing Club.
Image Credit: Provided

Dubai: The annual UAE National Day Camel Marathon, hosted by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), saw the first ever participation of Emirati women on camels at the Dubai Camel’s Al Marmoom Racecourse Racing Club today.

Khawla Al Balooshi, 28, competed in the 18-29 category, while Hakima Ghaith, 38, competed in the over 30 group. Both had successfully completed the preliminary 4km camel race last month, which saw UAE nationals, men and women, participate.

Wonderful experience

Al Balooshi, a government employee, wore the No.1 jersey during the race. She said: “I thank HHC for motivating us and giving us this opportunity to participate in a race which I consider to be a very wonderful experience. I am very happy to be one of the first Emirati women to participate in an official camel race in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Balooshi works as a Senior Analyst at the Dubai Ministry of Economic Development. She holds a master’s degree in the field of the environment and international development. She will also be participating in the next 8th Camel Trek which will start on December 9th. The annual desert trip, which will see the participation of 17 countries (including four Emirati camel drivers) will last 13 days, starting December 9 from Empty Quarters of Liwa in the western region of Abu Dhabi. The 30 camel trekkers will travel 500 km of the UAE desert for a unique desert experience that will familiarize them with ancient Bedouin customs, until they reach their final destination at the site of the ‘Expo 2020 Dubai.

camel

The UAE National Day Camel Marathon is part of the country’s 50th National Day celebrations.
Image Credit: Provided

Excellent Emirati Women

Ghaith, for her part, said her participation in the annual camel marathon proves Emirati women can excel in all areas, including traditional sports. She learned to ride a camel from a young age and has grown into a confident camel driver. She said: “In my daily life I work in aviation as a ground employee. This type of heritage sport gives me a lot of positive energy.

Community traditions

HHC CEO Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook expressed appreciation for the efforts of the camel marathon participants. He said: “We are very proud of our community traditions and the participation of two Emirati women for the first time in an official camel race confirms our efforts to make heritage sports accessible to all members of society and to all. nationalities residing in the United Arab Emirates. “

The UAE National Day Camel Marathon is part of the country’s 50th National Day celebrations. The two preliminary races were also hosted by HHC, with the main marathon scheduled to be held on January 14, in conjunction with the Arabian Camel Festival, which will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. and Chairman of the Executive Board.

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