DMI's Dubai Racing to offer exclusive coverage of Marmoom Ramadan Camel Festival

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the second season of the Festival will witness the Marmoom Star receiving a cash prize of AED4 million.

The details were announced by Abdulla Hamdan Bin Dalmouk, Executive Manager of Fazza Championship, Office of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during a press conference at the DMI Headquarters' training centre on 19 August. The event was attended by Darwish Mohammed, General Manager of Dubai Racing, and Hamad Bin Markhan, General Manager of Dubai Camel Racing Club.

Abdulla Hamdan Bin Dalmouk said:

'We are thrilled about the participation of DMI in this important sports and cultural event, and would like to announce that the Marmoom Festival's second season will commence on 25 August and will run till the last day of Eid. The festival will include competitions and other activities.'

The festival races are scheduled to take place on 25 and 26 August, as well as the following Fridays and Saturdays including 28-29 August, 4-5 September, and 11 to 12 September. Finals of the eight rounds are scheduled for the third day of Eid.

Following a directive from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, new categories to the camel races have been introduced for this season, including camels of the 'Laqaya' category. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan has also instructed an increase in the cash value of the prize from Dhs2m to Dhs4m, in addition to a live draw, aired on Dubai Racing channel, for several cars every Tuesday during Ramadan and Eid, from the Marmoom Festival tent.

Other activities and events themed on the different Bedouin and coastal lifestyles in the UAE and the rest of the GCC are also scheduled during the festival. Other programmes include fireworks with every race, and a cultural bazaar in a special tent at the Marmoom.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has also directed the organizing committee of the festival on the importance of undertaking necessary medical examinations on camels against steroids, and tests against usage of electrical shocks, in addition to confirming the true ages of the participating camels in this festival.

Darwish Mohammed said: 'The concept of the Marmoom festival has evolved and developed rapidly after the attention that it has received from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It has become a key topic of discussion by both racing professionals and enthusiasts inside and outside the UAE.'

He added: 'DMI, through its channel Dubai Racing, will offer complete coverage of this event, especially with our dedication to excellence and providing the best for this sports and cultural event, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and was assigned to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.'

Special programmes and coverage reports will be dedicated to the festival, such as the analytical programme Al Namoos which will air every Monday, presenting analysis for the rounds and scores of previous rounds. The programme will also give the viewers an insight on the winners and audiences, as well as impact of the festival on the camel owners.

Another programme on Dubai Racing for the festival will be Najm Marmoom (Marmoom Star), which will have a casual and relaxed setting, hosting the camel owners and the sport enthusiasts. It will also offer regular updates on the races, and a weekly draw on cars presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Live transmission of the preliminary elimination stages will be offered by Dubai Racing, for all the 12 rounds throughout the racing days on 25 August, 28 August, 4 September, and 11 September. The transmission of the 'Haqayeq' races will also take place, through four rounds of the "Bekar" camels category, and two rounds for the "Jo'odan" camels category, on 26 August, 29 August, 5 September, and 12 September.

Qualifying races for the "Laqaya" will take place through four rounds for the "Bekar" camels and two rounds for the "Jo'odan" camels, reaching the final day where the "Marmoom Star" will be announced.

Darwish Mohammed, along with Mariam Al Murr Bin Huraiz, Head of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Department at DMI, presented the DMI trophy to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in appreciation of his efforts in supporting this traditional sport, as well as the rest of the sporting industry in Dubai. Abdulla Hamdan Bin Dalmouk received the trophy on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan.

Dubai Racing, the official channel for all horse, camel, and falcon racing in the emirate, constantly strives to offer the best coverage for events to complement the status of Dubai and the UAE, in the media and sports fields. DMI will offer all its facilities as well as its media and technical resources to offer coverage for the Marmoom Ramadan Camel Festival.