The ceremony was attended by the Wali of the region of Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra Mohamed Guelmous, the  governor in charge of General Secretariat of Hamid Charii Wilaya, delegation of Oman led by the Director General of Camel breeding Mahmoud Al-Farissi and several other  personalities and leaders.

The camel races were held in three categories for the “Azouzale” species (castrated dromedary),"Saidah" and "Bair".

About 300 camels were involved in three competitions, including 141 "Azouzales", 80 and Saidah 70 Bair. 

For "Azouzale" and "Bair" categories the winners each won a light car. The Omani delegation offered the first "Saidah" winner the sum of one hundred thousand dirhams and "shield".

Prizes were given to several individuals who contributed to the success of this event, including the Wali, who was awarded the “festival grand prize”, offered by the Omani delegation.

This event, initiated on 30 October to 1 November by the Synergy Association -Sakia El Hamra, the wilaya, the  Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the region’s Council, with support from the Directorate General of local authorities, the Agency of economic and social development and promotion of the southern provinces (ADES) and Office chérifien des Phosphates, aims to promote awareness of local cultural specificities contribute to the promotion of tourism and develop the region’s potentiality, its experience in breeding camels and efforts to develop this activity.

The organizers of this event are also encouraged by the desire to broaden the interest of camel breeding and promote the popular heritage.

The program of the event, which attracted large audience and enjoyed significant media coverage, included an exhibition of local crafts, presentation of photos, books and documentaries about camel race in the Sultanate of Oman, seminar on the preservation of camel races and the development of their products and a poetry contest. 

During the closing ceremony, the public attended at Mechouar square in Laayoune, a cultural evening hosted by Mauritanian Cheikh Ould  Labiedh and Moroccan artists Nouamane Lahlou, Aicha Tachinouite, Abdelaziz Stati and several local groups, as well as fireworks.

The population of Laayoune and visitors attended performances on traditional equestrian arts and concerts by Cheb Khaled, Nouamane Lahlou, Dimi Mint Abba, Zeina Daoudia, Stati, and Tachinouite and local and Spanish groups.

Source: MAP
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