Historic training camp prepares young jockeys for camel racing’s Asian Youth Games debut

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A historic training camp for 27 young jockeys is being held in the UAE ahead of camel racing’s debut at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain.

The intensive training camp, hosted by the Asian Camel Racing Federation with support from World Camelids Sport, brings together 16 male jockeys from nine countries and 11 female jockeys from seven countries, in addition to 13 new coaches.

Taking place between 10 and 24 October, athletes from India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Yemen are participating, with the vast majority of participants experiencing camel racing for the first time.

Transformative moment

Only athletes from Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, and Mongolia have prior exposure to the discipline, underscoring the camp as a transformative moment for the sports development, and in ensuring all competitors can safely participate in this historic debut.

The Asian Youth Games appearance follows camel racing’s official recognition by the Olympic Council of Asia earlier this year, marking significant progress in the sport’s international development, and comes ahead of its inclusion in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia in November.

World Camelids Sport COO Mousa Alkam said: “This training camp represents the future of camel racing. We are witnessing the next generation of camel racing athletes take their first steps in the sport, and their debut at the Asian Youth Games marks a pivotal moment. These young athletes will become ambassadors for the sport’s growth across new territories and cultures.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Asian Camel Racing Federation for their unwavering commitment in hosting this camp and their continued collaboration in developing the sport across Asia and beyond.”

Expanding recognition

“This comes at an incredibly exciting time as we also prepare for camel racing’s inclusion in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh this November, demonstrating the expanding recognition of camel racing on the international sporting stage.”

Pierre Nassar, one of the coaches attending the training camp, said: “First of all, the training was very structured in Abu Dhabi, and it was organized in a way that you start learning step by step. A lot of effort was put into it, the program was well arranged, and the work was 100%.”

Lebanese jockey Amir Yehya said: “It’s a really fun and enjoyable sport, and I recommend everyone to try it; it’s a new experience that gives you motivation to do new things in your life.”

Focus on essential skills

The training program focuses on essential skills including camel handling, racing techniques, safety protocols, and competition procedures. Upon completion of the camp on 24 October, participants will travel directly to Bahrain to join additional jockeys from other countries for the competition.

The separate 500-meter races for male and female competitors on 27 October will establish camel racing’s presence at multi-sport youth events, creating pathways for future generations.