Emirati Riders Dominate in Both Boys’ and Girls’ Races at Bahrain 2025
Manama, Bahrain — October 27, 2025:
In a thrilling and historic debut, camel racing made its first-ever appearance at the Asian Youth Games (AYG), and it was the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that galloped to glory — clinching both gold medals in the boys’ and girls’ 500m races.
The event, held at the Equestrian Endurance Village, saw Umair Al-Rashedi and Latifa Al-Ashkhair from the UAE storm to victory, each clocking an impressive 45 seconds to secure their places in AYG history.
Source @BAYGOC
🏆 Double Delight for the UAE
| Event | Gold Medalist | Country | Time | Silver Medalist | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys’ 500m Race | Umair Al-Rashedi | 🇦🇪 UAE | 45s | — | 🇦🇪 UAE |
| Girls’ 500m Race | Latifa Al-Ashkhair | 🇦🇪 UAE | 45s | — | 🇦🇪 UAE |
The UAE achieved a 1-2 finish in both categories, showcasing their long-standing expertise and tradition in camel racing.
“We spent months preparing for this big day — for camel racing to make its debut on the Asian sporting scene — and it was all over in 45 seconds,” smiled Mohamed Ali Fadhel, Camel Racing Competition Manager.
🏟️ A Track Built for History
To host the event, organisers in Bahrain built a custom-designed track, adjacent to the well-known horse endurance course.
Track Highlights:
- Length: 1 kilometre
- Race Distance: 500 metres
- Surface: Desert sand
- Structure: Straight track with safety guard rails
Spectators filled the stands, creating one of the largest crowds of the Games. But in true camel racing fashion, the action was lightning-fast — many latecomers missed the finish before their first sip of Arabic coffee.
🐫 Official Recognition and Preparation
The debut of camel racing followed years of coordination between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and World Camelids Sports, which was officially recognised in February 2025.
| Timeline | Key Development |
|---|---|
| February 2025 | OCA recognises World Camelids Sports as Asia’s official governing body for camel racing. |
| August 2025 | OCA holds a two-week camel racing training camp in Abu Dhabi for AYG athletes. |
| October 2025 | Camel racing debuts at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. |
The recognition was driven by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of World Camelids Sports and Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who also officiated the medal ceremony.
🌍 Global Participation in a Traditional Sport
A total of 11 countries participated in the debut event, fielding 17 boys and 8 girls in the races.
| Participating Countries | Notes |
|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Brought own camels |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Brought own camels |
| 🇾🇪 Yemen | Used camels provided by organisers |
| 🇲🇳 Mongolia | Used local mounts |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Trained in Abu Dhabi |
| 🇮🇳 India | First-time participants |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Riders adapted from horseback sports |
| 🇱🇧 Lebanon | Faced early challenges |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | New entrants |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | Debut competitors |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Host nation |
“The first time I got on a camel was during training in Abu Dhabi. It’s tough keeping balance because you’re so high up and the gait is bouncy,” said Mohammad Al Fathih from Indonesia, who finished 11th in the boys’ race.
Despite the challenges, Al Fathih managed to complete the race — unlike Amir Yehya of Lebanon, who was unseated early in the competition.
🏁 A Historic Milestone for Asian Sports
Camel racing’s successful debut marks a new era for traditional sports in Asia, blending heritage with youth athleticism. The UAE’s dominance reaffirmed their leadership in the sport, while the enthusiasm across nations highlighted camel racing’s growing appeal.