The Governor of Riyadh crowns the winners at the conclusion of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, attended the closing ceremony of the third edition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival on Sunday evening. The ceremony was held at the historic Janadriyah Square in Riyadh, amidst a significant official and public presence, and with wide participation from 11 countries, reflecting the growing international stature of this authentic cultural and sporting heritage.

Official reception and celebration of heritage

Upon his arrival at the venue, His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh was received by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, President of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, along with a number of senior officials in the sports sector.

This festival embodies the wise leadership's commitment to preserving cultural heritage and strengthening national identity, as camel racing is a cornerstone of Saudi and Arab culture. In line with Vision 2030, the Kingdom is working to develop this sector and transform it into a professional sport with international standards, attracting tourists and enthusiasts from around the world, as well as supporting the local economy through substantial prizes and the accompanying commercial activity.

Race details and million-dollar prizes

The closing ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by the start of the decisive races, characterized by fierce competition among the elite camels. The races took place over a distance of 6 kilometers, with 65 of the strongest camels from both local and international levels participating. The organizing committee allocated substantial prize money for this festival, exceeding a total value of 75 million riyals, making it one of the most lucrative camel racing festivals in the region and the world.

Results of the final rounds and crowning of the champions

Following the conclusion of the races, Prince Faisal bin Bandar crowned the winners, and the detailed results of the four main races were as follows:

• First round (general camels): The camel “Al Ghazal” won first place with a time of 12:40.253 minutes, so its Emirati owner, Mohammed Al Muhairi, was crowned with the “Bundle” symbol and the trainer’s shield.
• The second round (Zamoul - Open): The camel "Nahab" achieved first place with a time of 12:33.278 minutes, and the crowning went to the UAE Presidential Camels, and the trainer Hamdan Al Muhairi received the rifle and the shield.
• Third round (Hail - General): The camel “Aaliyah” won first place with a time of 12:27.890 minutes, and its Emirati owner, Ahmed Al-Khabili, was crowned with the sword and the cup.
• The fourth round (Open): The camel “Al-Haba” stole the spotlight with a remarkable time of 12:17.193 minutes, giving the Qatari Al-Shahaniya camels the “sword”, while the trainer Faran Al-Marri received the cup.

Saudi Sword Award

In a remarkable achievement, Emirati owner Hamad Al Ameri was crowned with the prestigious “Saudi Sword” award, after successfully collecting 196.5 points during the festival competitions, thus receiving a financial prize of 3 million riyals, confirming the strength of the Gulf competition in this edition.

The ceremony concluded with His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh honoring the sponsors and working committees that contributed to the success of this major event, which aims to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination for camel racing.