Racing festival heralded as boost for tourism
By: Asmaa Samir
Sharm el-Sheikh — Eyad Abul-Haggag, Board Chairman of Dar El-Tahrir for Printing and Publishing, and Governor of South Sinai Khaled Fouda signed a co-operation protocol nominating Dar El-Tahrir as media sponsor for the International Camel Race Festival to start on April 25.
The festival, which begins April 25, 2022, will be part of Sinai Liberation Day celebrations.
The camel track, which was opened by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in January 2020, has given Egyptian tourism an opportunity to offer an event with Arab and international appeal.
Five-thousand riders and 2,000 camels will be racing on the track in el-Azab area, where camels undergo their daily training.
Sharm el-Sheikh director Mahmoud el-Sulayya said the camel track had helped integrate Bedouins and participants.
Economically the track promotes tourism and camel trading. Tourists can buy products made by Bedouins.
The track also keeps Arab cultural heritage alive, el-Sulayya said.
The six-kilometre track cost LE100 million, of which 25 per cent came out of the State budget, and the rest came from personal subscription.
Facilities are available for VIPs, media personnel and trainers. There is seating for 50 spectators, an elevator, emergency services access and a 20,000-space car park, plus veterinary services and camel lots.
High tech has a place here as the track is monitored by cameras and GPS that accurately show the distances between the competing camels.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, race meetings have been poorly attended.
South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda said he was pleased with Dar Al-Tahrir media sponsorship contract for the Camel Festival.
Dar El-Tahrir has a proven track record history in promoting festivals on local arena in order to promote Egypt’s tourism and sports will attract more tourists and investments, Fouda said, adding that the presidents of both countries are eager to support sports and heritage, which creates jobs.
Sharm el-Sheikh camel track is one of the most successful sports projects in the last decade, he added, noting that LE5 million in prize money can be won.
Dar El-Tahrir chairman Eyad Abul-Haggag said the festival is now one of Sharm El-Sheikh’s attractions.
The resort is a model of a global tour destination with support from the political leadership.
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