HH the Father Amir Camel Racing Festival Kicks Off

Doha, January 17 (QNA) - The annual purebred Arabian Camel Festival on the sword of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani kicked off Saturday, amid wide participation from different fields. The competition is organized by the Camel Racing Organizing Committee and held at the Al Shahaniya camel race track. The opening day of the festival, which was held on the camel race track in Al Shahaniya, saw 45 rounds, with 25 rounds were held in the mourning and 20 held in the evening. In the morning competitions, Samha owned by Mohammed 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 Mohammed 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 QR 300,000, ahead of Talia of Al-Shehaniya, which came in second place with a prize of QR 150,000 and a time of 5.54.80 minutes, and Dosha of Al-Shahaniya came in third place, with a prize of QR 100,000 and a time of 5.55.14 minutes. In a statement, Director of Dukhan Security Department Major General Abdul Hadi Dhafer Al Ahbabi affirmed that the preparations for the annual purebred Arabian Camel Festival on the sword of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani were done at the highest level in order to make the festival a success in cooperation and coordination with Camel Racing Organizing Committee. Major General Al Ahbabi added that all security matters are proceeding normally, pointing to the cooperation of the fans and lovers of this ancient heritage sport, as well as all participants in the festival, a matter which facilitates the work of security men. He called on everyone to abide by the instructions of the Camel Racing Organizing Committee as well as the traffic instructions, especially since they have great experience through their participation in various festivals throughout the past years. For his part, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Kuwari described the launch of the annual purebred Arabian Camel Festival on the sword of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani as very strong and ideal, highlighting need to maintain all precautionary and preventive measures throughout the race days, as was the case in the founder's race, while pointing to a great commitment on the part of the competitors and fans so that the competitions are held in a safe environment. (QNA)