Organized by the Moroccan Federation of Camel Racing, this sporting and cultural event, marking the 48th anniversary of the Green March, aims to promote the practice and sustainability of traditional sports, specifically camel racing, as an authentic and ancestral Arab tradition.
Named “Edition Feu Moulay Khayri Alouali”, this event, in partnership with the Es-Semara camel racing club and in coordination with the General Federation of Camel Racing in Morocco, seeks to preserve this valuable intangible heritage and integrate it into the socio-economic development dynamics.
The two-day competition, held at the camelodrome track in Sidi Ahmed Laaroussi, features the participation of several Arab countries – Qatar, Kuwait, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Mauritania, Libya, and Tunisia – alongside troops from the southern provinces.
The festival director, Mohamed Lamine Ragheb, stated that the event aims to raise awareness of local cultural uniqueness, promote tourism, and professionalize camel racing. He also emphasized its significance in preserving Sahrawi heritage and highlighting the potential of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region in camel breeding.
This edition introduced a new element with the inclusion of a camel handball competition in both the men’s and women’s categories, aimed at engaging young people from the southern provinces and enabling them to participate in major sports events.
Camel racing, recognized as an authentic Arab sport, has attracted researchers’ attention due to its role in preserving and sustaining the heritage of the southern provinces and safeguarding their customs and traditions in the face of urbanization.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of notable figures, including the president of the Arab Federation of Camel Racing, Abdellah Al-Kouari, alongside other prominent figures from various camel breeding organizations.
The event’s diverse program includes camel races, a camel handball competition, a poetry tent, and a seminar on the camel industry, alongside the awarding of prizes to winners of the various competitions.