The annual purebred Arabian Camel Festival on the sword of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani kicked off on Saturday, amid wide participation from different fields.
The opening day of the festival, which was held on the camel race track in Al Shahaniya, saw 45 rounds, with 25 rounds held in the morning and 20 held in the evening.
In the morning competitions, Samha owned by Mohamed Faran al-Marri won the title of the main round with a time of 6:07:68 minutes, ahead of Saraba owned by Fahd Hamad al-Hanzab, which finished second with a time of 6:08:84 minutes, followed by Al-Wathna owned by Nasser Mohamed al-Marri with a time of 6:12:60 minutes.
As for the evening competitions, Al-Sabahiya of Al Shaqab won the title of the main round with a time of 5:54:50 minutes and was awarded golden shalfa and QR300,000, ahead of Talia of Al Shahaniya, which came in second place with a prize of QR150,000 and a time of 5:54:80 minutes. Dosha of Al Shahaniya came in third place, with a prize of QR100,000 and a time of 5:55:14 minutes.
In a statement, director of Dukhan Security Department Major General Abdul Hadi Dhafer al-Ahbabi said that the preparations for the festival were done at the highest level in order to make it a success.
He added that all security matters are proceeding normally, pointing to the co-operation of the fans and lovers of this ancient heritage sport, as well as all participants in the festival.
For his part, Vice Chairman of the Camel Racing Organising Committee Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Kuwari described the festival as very strong and ideal, highlighting the need to maintain all precautionary and preventive measures throughout the race days.