RIYADH: The number of women taking part in camel racing at the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival this year has doubled compared to 2024, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The increase has led the organizing committee to add a second race which includes 18 Saudi female camel riders.
Organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, the festival’s second edition kicked off on Jan. 27 at the Janadriyah Camel Race Track in Riyadh. It will end on Wednesday, Feb. 5 with total prize money of more than SR70 million ($18.7 million) awarded.
The increase in the number of participating women camel riders has also contributed to a rise in the prizes. (SPA photo)
During last year’s festival, 15 female camel riders competed, representing Britain, France, Germany, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.
This year has seen 30 female riders from 12 countries take part: Algeria, Bahrain, Britain, France, Germany, Oman, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the UAE, US and Yemen.
The increase has contributed to a rise in the prize pot, with the first-placed female rider receiving SR60,000.
