A World United on the Camel Track: Al Marmoom Celebrates Global Community Through Heritage Sport

The eighth National Day Camel Marathon for Expatriates brought together competitors from 28 nationalities in a vibrant display of cultural exchange, transforming an ancient Emirati tradition into a meeting ground for the world.

At Al Marmoom, where the desert stretches vast and golden, something remarkable unfolded on the camel racing track: a gathering of strangers from across the globe, united not by nationality but by the thrill of mastering one of the UAE’s most authentic heritage sports. More than 40 competitors representing 28 nationalities took part in the first preliminary round of the eighth National Day Camel Marathon for Expatriates, an event organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre that transforms sport into a language of coexistence.

The day comprised three races spanning women’s and men’s categories, each unfolding with genuine enthusiasm and the kind of determined focus that comes from learning a craft under expert guidance. In the women’s open-weight category over 1,200 metres, Barbara Livastari of Poland crossed first, with Natalie Chantley of the United Kingdom claiming second place and Celine Rachel of France finishing third. The men’s race over the same distance saw Fateen Faisal of India secure victory, followed by Ahmed Bahaa of Egypt and Yang Li of China. The women’s Farda weight category over 1,500 metres was won by Ekaterina Kudria of Russia, with Young Yu Liv of China in second and Audie Dervelinger of France completing the podium.

What distinguished this edition was not merely the numbers but the visible increase in both participation and diversity, reflecting a deepening appetite for authentic cultural experience. Participants had trained under specialised instructors from the Heritage Centre, learning skills embedded in the knowledge systems of Emirati ancestors, knowledge shaped by generations of life in the desert. The journey from curiosity to competence unfolded across the track, each competitor demonstrating not just technical ability but a genuine engagement with tradition.

The awards ceremony, held in the presence of H.E. Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, and senior officials from the Events Department and Fazza Championships, took on a ceremonial quality befitting the occasion. Yet it was the atmosphere around the track that revealed the event’s deeper significance. Families and friends of participants mingled with members of expatriate communities, their cheers carrying across the sand in multiple languages, a vocal reminder that cultural sharing need not dilute identity but rather enrich it.

H.E. bin Dalmook reflected on the meaning embedded in such gatherings, observing that offering residents the opportunity to experience Emirati culture creates a connection that transcends words. “When someone who has come from the other side of the world rides a camel and learns skills that were part of our ancestors’ lives,” he noted, “they discover something about the character of this country that words alone cannot convey.” He described the event as an expression of the coexistence the UAE celebrates, where sport becomes a common language and participation in heritage creates genuine friendships.

The marathon sits within a broader vision of Al Marmoom as a destination for heritage sports and cultural activities, a place where the traditions of camel racing remain alive not as museum pieces but as living practices open to all who wish to learn. The strong public attendance underscored the community dimension of the experience, reinforcing that authentic cultural exchange flourishes when it remains accessible, participatory and rooted in genuine mutual respect.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This milestone in the National Day Camel Marathon for Expatriates reflects a distinctive strength of Emirati society: the ability to maintain cultural pride while welcoming the world into its story. The eighth edition demonstrates how heritage traditions can serve as bridges between communities, creating spaces where residents of all backgrounds discover shared values through direct experience. As the UAE continues to position itself as a hub for global talent and cross-cultural cooperation, events of this kind reinforce that openness and identity need not compete but can flourish together.

The growing participation also underscores the broader appeal of heritage-based cultural engagement across the emirates. By transforming ancient practices into inclusive experiences, institutions like the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre strengthen the social fabric of UAE society, ensuring that traditions remain vital not through preservation alone but through active participation and intergenerational knowledge transfer. This model of cultural stewardship sets a precedent for how the UAE’s rich heritage can remain central to national identity whilst contributing to the sense of belonging that residents from all nations seek to find.

Source: WAM

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