RIYADH: The chairman of the board of directors of the Camel Club, Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, approved naming the women’s race at the seventh King Abdulaziz Camel Festival after Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman, sister of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz.
The Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman women’s race will be handled as a royal race, and the first-place winner is not entitled to delegate another to receive the award. The winner will also have the honor of receiving their award from King Salman at the closing ceremony.
The women’s race was approved for the first time for the festival’s sixth edition, during which 38 women participated, 10 of whom were qualified, and five participants ended up winning.
The contest involved Al-Mughateer camels, a famous Arabian breed. Bedouin tribes divide Al-Mughateer camels into colors ranging from white shades to yellow and red, and each color has a name.
Haya Al-Askar ranked first, followed by Rasma Al-Dosari in second, Malath bint Aoun in third, Lamia Al-Rashidi in fourth and Dalal bint Abdullah Al-Otaibi in fifth place.
This race promoted strong competition and Saudi women’s participation in traditional dress. The participation of women at the festival is the beginning of broader plans by the club to expand the presence of women in all manner of camel-related events.
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman was born in Riyadh in 1875 and died in 1950. She was the daughter of Abdulrahman bin Faisal, and the eldest sister of King Abdulaziz.
She was known for the positive role she played in her brother’s life, who in turn had a lot of affection and appreciation for her. King Abdulaziz used to confide in her and consult her on many matters; the two had a strong bond since childhood.
