AlUla to be promoted as leading camel racing destination

ALULA, Saudi Arabia: A strategic partnership agreed between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Saudi Camel Racing Federation (SCRF) will help grow, develop, and expand the traditional Saudi sport of camel racing in AlUla.

Signed by His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, President of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, and Amr Al Madani, CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) will establish AlUla as a leading destination for camel racing competitions in the Kingdom and further afield.

The MoC follows the successful completion of the inaugural AlUla Camel Cup, which was held from March 14-17 and saw 40 of the region’s finest racing camels compete for a grand prize pool of SAR80 million.

The agreement falls within the framework of RCU’s ambition to comprehensively regenerate AlUla into a leading global destination for lifestyle, tourism, investment, and a variety of sports. RCU’s goals are aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify and expand the national economy.

As part of the MoC, RCU and SCRF will cooperate in organising various initiatives within the camel sports sector, implementing activities related to racing contests and sector-wide support throughout the season and beyond.

RCU and SCRF will partner to establish the first camel training centre in AlUla, host international endurance races, and cooperate in establishing camel-related heritage and sporting activities for tourists and residents.

Ziad A. Alsuhaibani, Head of Sport Sector, RCU, said: “This new Memorandum of Collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Saudi Camel Racing Federation will position AlUla as the go-to location for camel sports across the region, expand the sport economy, and boost participation in one of the KSA’s most beloved cultural traditions. The future of camel racing in AlUla is bright, as RCU and SCRF move ahead with ambitious plans to develop this unique and exciting sport, to raise its profile and showcase AlUla as one of the best destinations for heritage sports.”

The MoC signed between RCU and SCRF follows the announcement that AlUla and RCU will host the world’s biggest international falconry tournament and the selection of Mughayra in AlUla as the location for a new heritage sports village that will become home to a variety of traditional sporting activities including camel racing, falconry and archery among others.