Category: Press Release

Government of Dubai Media Office – 31 July 2025: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited the ‘Dubai Dates’ exhibition organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center. During the visit, His Highness toured several pavilions and issued directives sanctioning a grant of AED1 million for exhibition participants in recognition of their efforts to preserve and promote the UAE’s rich cultural heritage.

His Highness was accompanied during the tour by His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, and departmental directors from the Center. His Highness was updated on key facets of the festival, including various sections dedicated to promoting date palms and their cultural and social significance. His Highness subsequently ordered the allocation of AED1 million as a grant to be distributed among the festival’s participants.

The generous gesture reflects His Highness’s sustained support for the Center’s mission and his commitment to empowering initiatives that support both the advancement of Emirati heritage and the community.

Expressing his deep gratitude and appreciation to the His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, His Excellency Bin Dalmook affirmed that the generous support for the festival is nothing new but represents the continuation of a legacy of leadership committed to strengthening national identity and cultural heritage.

His Excellency Bin Dalmook stated: “The visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed is a great honour for us, and his generous grant serves as a powerful motivation for all participants and organisers. His Highness’s directives represent the compass that guides our Center’s activities, defining our priorities and opening new avenues for innovation in heritage preservation.”

He added: “The date palm is deeply rooted in the Emirati people’s identity. His Highness’s presence with us clearly reflects the leadership’s strong commitment to this treasured legacy and its dedication to safely entrusting it to future generations in the most dignified and authentic form.

“At the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, we continue to fulfil our role through such events by showcasing the cultural richness of Dubai and the UAE, guided by His Highness’s vision while staying committed to a comprehensive approach that both safeguards the past and builds for the future.”

Dubai – December 2024:

In a bold celebration of the UAE’s timeless heritage, the 11th edition of the Camel Trek is well into its 13-day desert odyssey, with 33 participants from 17 countries, each embodying the spirit of the Emirates. The participants, hailing from both the UAE and beyond, have set off from the heart of the Empty Quarter desert and are currently crossing the vast, shifting sands of the Western Desert, bound for the Heritage Village at Global Village, where their journey will culminate on December 21.

The caravan’s journey began on December 9 from the Arada area, deep within the Empty Quarter. Along the way, participants have passed several notable stations, including Tel Marib, South Shah, Al Maha Sanctuary “Bab bin Madhiah,” Al Maha Sanctuary “Al Khor,” Al Dwayseah, South Al Quo’a, and North Al Quo’a. The caravan continues its journey towards Al Thuqaybah, Bouts, Al Khazna, Al Ajban, and Saih Al Salam. The grand finale will take place at the Heritage Village in Global Village, where the trek will conclude on December 21.

Gratitude and Appreciation

At the helm of this extraordinary journey is His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmouk, CEO of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, whose unwavering leadership has been instrumental in the trek’s success. In a message of deep appreciation, bin Dalmouk acknowledged the vital role played by a wide array of national partners, including Dubai Ambulance, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Police, and Abu Dhabi Police. Their collective support, he believes, is a living testament to the spirit of collaboration that defines the UAE.

“We are incredibly grateful to all our national partners,” bin Dalmouk said. “This Camel Trek is a product of shared vision and collective effort, a partnership that reflects the UAE’s dedication to preserving its heritage while fostering a deeper connection between its people, history, and land.”

He continued, “The success of this journey is a direct result of the expertise and resources contributed by these institutions. Together, we are creating a legacy—a bridge between past and future that ensures our traditions are passed down to the next generation with pride.”

Bin Dalmouk concluded with a poignant reminder of the greater purpose of the trek: “Preserving our heritage is not just an act of duty but a mission that unites us all. Through our work and this journey, we aim to inspire future generations to carry forward the rich cultural legacy that makes the UAE so unique.”

Trek Progress

The trek is progressing smoothly, with the caravan covering an impressive 45 to 50 kilometers each day, thanks to the team’s intimate knowledge of the desert’s geography. While the journey’s early days posed some challenges—sandstorms and the unforgiving terrain—the participants, led by a seasoned team of guides and experts, have navigated these obstacles with grace and perseverance.

“We’ve faced our share of hurdles, but the team’s resilience has been remarkable,” bin Dalmouk said. “Our deep connection to these lands, built over years of experience, has made all the difference. The spirit of the journey is about overcoming the desert’s challenges while embracing the silence and beauty it offers.”

An Adventure of a Lifetime

For the participants, the Camel Trek is far more than just an endurance test—it’s an immersion into the authentic, rugged beauty of the UAE’s desert and an exploration of its cultural roots.

Amina Abdullah Al Naqbi, Training Coordinator at the Sharjah Museums Authority, shared her enthusiasm for the journey. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years,” she said. “Preparing mentally and physically for the desert trek was no small feat, but the training from the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center and the constant guidance from Abdullah bin Dalmouk made all the difference. Every step in this desert feels like we’re walking through history.”

Ivan Kovalenko, a Russian participant who placed second in the Camel Trek Marathon at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, was equally enthralled by the experience. “At first, I thought it would be a simple camel ride,” he admitted. “But this journey has been so much more—it’s a true test of patience, strength, and endurance. Along the way, I’ve learned not just about the desert but about the traditions of the Emirati people, their hospitality, and the deep respect they have for this land.”

Dubai –October 2023

Hamdan Bin Mohamed Heritage Center is preparing to participate in the “One World One Family” exhibition, which is being held under the patronage of Her Excellency Natalia Al Mansour, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, from November 1st to December 12th, in the Slovenian Pavilion in Dubai Expo city.

The exhibition revolves mainly around the ancient wisdom and proverbs given by the ancestors, the set of values ​​and traditions that were prevalent in past periods of time, and their application in the reality of modern times, given that these values are moral states with a deep-rooted spiritual connection to people’s psyches, their cultural and social values. They reside in their consciences and are reflected in their behaviour.

The exhibition sheds a light on the true understanding of beliefs, values, the significance of oral heritage to rely on in our contemporary history and how best to employ it in the service of societies to benefit from it in the optimal way for a more sustainable future.

The exhibition is coordinated and organized by Dr. Sasa Bavec, Director of the “Live with A Green Heart” organization, who started this project a few years ago and visited several countries to understand and study their history and local culture.

His Excellence, Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmouk, CEO of Hamdan Bin Mohamed Heritage Center has commented: “Such exhibitions strengthen the relationships that bind cultures together and allow us to present an image of the culture and heritage of the UAE, through oral heritage and a collection of wisdom and proverbs that have been passed down throughout history, to which the exhibition will devote a large space.”

Her Excellency Natalia Al-Mansour, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, also pointed out the importance of this exhibition in enhancing young people’s awareness of the local customs and traditions of each civilization and consolidating their connection to the authentic values ​​of society, considering the rapid developments witnessed in modern life. She added: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center was chosen based on the great role they play in this field, and the huge heritage reserve in their archive.

She concluded by pointing out: “Hamdan Bin Mohamed Heritage Center’s rich publications, especially regarding proverbs and their translations into more than one language helped us form a deeper understanding of the Emirati heritage and the extent of its diversity.”

The exhibition offers its visitors a wide range of events and activities covering several cultures and civilizations of different countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, India, and Indonesia.

Dubai, 4 February 2023: The cast is now complete and the quest for the Fazza Gold Cup has entered its pivotal moment as Emirati teen Ali Mubarak Al-Azizi grabbed the fourth and final ticket to the Golden Square of the 23rd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 18th edition of Al Meydan Program on Friday night in Al Marmoon, Dubai.

Al-Azizi, who is from Al Ain, clinched the last qualifying card for the ‘Golden Square’ after he outperformed Mohammed Saeed Al-Muhairi from Abu Dhabi in the last quarterfinal performance. Al-Azizi outscored Al-Muhairi 50–49 in the Youlah round, after being tied 40-all in the other competitions.

Al-Azizi has joined other Golden Square qualifiers Ahmed Al-Marri, Abdullah Belheli and Muhammad Ahmed Al-Ketbi in the semifinal round of the annual championship organised annually by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC) that will begin on Friday.

Youlah performance

Al-Azizi and Al-Muhairi showcased their varying style and rhythmic performance in the Youlah competition that was arbitrated by Khalifa bin Sabeen. In the end, it was Al-Azizi who got perfect 50 points and Al-Muhairi scored 49. Public votes via electronic casting also tilted in favour of Al-Azizi who earned 25 points.

Other results

In the swimming race held earlier in the week at Hamdan Sports Complex, Al-Muhairi pulled away with 10 points after the 10 marks, after covering the 50-metre lap in 39 seconds, despite encountering some problem with his goggles.

Both Al-Azizi and Al-Muhairi, however, did not score in the newly-introduced ‘What is in the picture’ portion.

Al-Muhairi scored another 10 points in the Arabic poetry reading competition that was judged by poet Muhammad Al-Murr Al-Abd. The two yuweels (participants) recited a poem from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai

Al-Azizi was on target in the following Saktoun shooting competition and scored 15 points but the 1,500-metre camel race was won by Al Muhairi who got 20 points.

Episode guest

Artist, Mohamed Al-Menhali, from Abu Dhabi was the guest of the episode. He expressed his appreciation of efforts by HHC to actively promote Emirate culture and heritage.  The quarter-final round was broadcast live over Sama TV Dubai and Al-Oula Radio, as well as HHC social media channels.

Semifinal round

Nathalie Awadissian, HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Communication, and Head of the Organising Committee for HHC Championships, said the competition is now getting tougher as it enters the semifinal round. She also encouraged the qualifiers to continue their training and maintain their strong focus in the competition.

The semifinal round will start on Friday, February 10, at 9pm in Al Marmoon, Dubai.

Youlah training begins at 3 yrs

Meanwhile, HHC said training for Youlah starts at three years old. The center is keen to support the youth by holding various tournaments for schools and youth to prepare them and be part of the prestigious Fazza Championship for Youlah when they turn 14 years old.

Dubai, 31 January 2023:  The inaugural ‘Mohammed bin Rashid Falconry Cup’, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), kicked off to a strong start on Monday at Al Ruwayyah desert area in Dubai

The falconry championship named after the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai will run until February 15 and has drawn formidable participation from local, regional and international falconers.

Over 250 falcons raced on Day 1 (Jan 30) of the tournament that will see more than 3,000 birds from 700 top falconers competing in the falconry championship with a total prize pool of over Dh23 million.

“Falconry (known locally as Al Qanas) is one of the UAE’s cultural symbols and the goal of the Mohammed bin Rashid Falconry Cup – formerly known as Fakhr Al Ajyal (Pride of Generations) Championship – is to preserve and promote the country’s authentic national heritage,” said Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships.

Day 1 race results 

Adrenaline and excitement ran high as the first run of Jeer Shaheen for the General Public category was announced.  A draw was held and Emirati Hamad Al-Kindi had the honour of being the first falconer to release his bird in the 400-metre race.

In the Farkh race (falcons under one year of age), Hamad bin Sheikh Majran Al-Kindi came first place with his bird ‘Muqnam’ that covered the 400-metre distance with a time of 18.143 seconds. He was followed in second place by Al-Shaaifi Muhammad Al-Khaili’s falcon ‘Kahilan’ that clocked 18.409 seconds; while Mujran bin Al-Sheikh Mujran Al-Kindi came third with falcon ‘11’ in  18.557 seconds.

In the Jirnas race (falcons over one year old), Mubarak Salem Al-Marar’s bird ‘Waqad’ came on top of the field with 17.689 seconds, followed by Rashid Saeed Al-Mansouri’s ‘Abjar’ (17.982 seconds) and Hamad bin Sheikh Majran Al-Kindi’s ‘3119 Fox’ falcon in third spot with a time of 18.046 seconds.

Great enthusiasm

Obaid bin Salem bin Shamma Al Ketbi, who has been participating in various falconry tournaments for many years, said the new name of the tournament has given it a “new feel and great enthusiasm for the participating falconers.” 

Fellow falconer Muhammad Khalfan also noted the importance falconry championship in providing opportunities for them to showcase their skills in UAE heritage sports.

The organising committee at HHC has completed all preparations for the tournament, including introducing the latest technology in running the event and providing support to participating falconers.

There will be a total of 100 racing rounds, with 20 rounds for the Sheikhs category, 28 rounds for the Public category, 28 rounds for the Owners (breeders) category, 10 rounds for Farkh and Jirnas falcons, 8 rounds for the Junior category, 4 rounds for Al Noukhba (Elite) category, and 2 rounds for the championship cup.

The first three finishers in the various categories will compete in Al Noukhba (Elite) races that will take place on February 14, a day before the Championship cup in the Sheikhs and Open categories on February 15.

Dubai, 21 January 2023: Lights blared and cheers erupted as Emirati teen Zayed Ahmed Al-Marri clinched the third ticket to the Golden Square of the 23rd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 18th edition of Al Meydan Program on Friday night in Al Marmoon, Dubai.

Only one ticket is left for the next semi-final round of the championship organised annually by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC).

Al-Marri obtained the third qualifying card for the ‘Golden Square’ after he outperformed Hamid Obaid bin Rakad Al Ali in the quarterfinal. Al-Marri scored 65 points while Al Ali settled for 55 markers.

Both competitors started strong and showcased their rhythmic performance in the Youlah competition. Khalifa bin Sabeen, who is arbitrated the round, praised their performance, and awarded Al Marri his 49th mark and Al Ali his 50th points. Public votes also tilted in favour of Al Ali who earned 25 points.

Both yuweels (participants) scored in the newly-introduced ‘What is in the picture’ portion and got additional 20 markers each.

However, in the swimming competition that was held earlier at the Hamdan Sports Complex, Al-Marri won the 50-metre race and scored 10 points. He was on target in the Saktoun shooting competition and earned additional 15 points.

In the Arabic poetry reading competition that was judged by poet Muhammad Al-Murr Al-Abd, the two participants recited a poem from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to His Highness The President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the 10 points went to Al Ali.

The winner of the quarter-final was decided with the camel race that was held at Al Marmon race track in cooperation with the Dubai Camel Racing Club. Al Marri dominated the 1,500-metre race and earned the deciding 20 points that delivered him to the next semi-final round.

Episode guest

Poet Hamdan Al Muharrami was the guest of the seventh episode. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts being made by HHC to actively promote Emirate culture and heritage.  The third quarter-final was broadcast live over Sama TV Dubai and Al-Oula Radio, as well as HHC social media channels.

Next round

Nathalie Awadissian, HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Communication, and Head of the Organising Committee for HHC Championships, said the competition is now getting tougher as it goes closer to the final stage. She also encouraged the qualifiers to continue their training and maintain their strong focus in the competition.

The next quarter-final round will take place in Al Marmoon, on Friday, January 27, at 9pm.

Dubai, 14 January 2023: Emirati teen Abdullah Belheli clinched the second ticket to the Golden Square of the 23rd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 18th edition of Al Meydan Program, following a down-to-wire quarter-final round on Friday in Al Marmoon, Dubai.

Both Belheli and his competitor, Ali Al-Ghafli, were initially tied at 40 points and the winner had to be decided by arbitration. After the second round, Belheli narrowly escaped with a hairline and was declared the winner with a total of 48 points as against Al-Ghhafli’s 47 markers.

It was the second consecutive tie in the quarter-final round of the tournament this year. In the previous week, Ahmed Al-Ketbi edged out fellow quarterfinalist, Saeed Obaid Al-Shamsi, with only one point and finished with 49 points, ahead of Al-Shamsi’s 48 markers.

Both Belheli and Al Ketbi have advanced to the semifinal or Golden Square round, inching closer to their goal of lifting the prestigious Fazza Cup and be declared as the Al Meydan Grand Knight.

Results

Episode 6 last Friday night started with a stunning show of Youlah by Belheli and Al-Ghafli who regaled the audience with their footwork and mastery in throwing the replica rifle (youlah). 

Both Belheli and Al-Ghalfi, however, did not score in the newly-introduced ‘What is in the picture’ portion.

In the swimming competition that was held earlier at Hamdan Sports Complex, Al-Ghafli won the 50-metre race and scored 10 points. He added 10 more markers in the Arabic poetry reading competition that was judged by poet Muhammad Al-Murr Al-Abd. The two participants recited a poem dedicated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Ali Al Ghafli also won the camel race and got 20 points.

Belheli, however, bounced back in the Saktoun shooting competition and earned 15 points. He also won the Youlah round with 25 points. He said: “Praise be to God, I was able to recover and return to the competition after losing the swimming and poetry reading competitions. It was a very strong competition that was not decided by arbitration in the Youlah.  There is, however, no loser, so we are all brothers here. And we are all winners.”

Episode guest

Ali Al-Marzouqi was the guest of the sixth episode. He said: “I’m proud to be part of this popular heritage inspired by the UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan., and I feel proud of the young generation who continue to display and promote the heritage of our homeland.”

The second quarter-final was presented by Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships, and it broadcast live over Sama TV Dubai and Al-Oula Radio, as well as HHC social media channels.

Strong focus

Nathalie Awadissian, HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Communication, and Head of the Organising Committee for HHC Championships, noted the competition is now getting tougher as it goes closer to the final stage. She also encouraged the qualifiers to continue their training and maintain their strong focus in the competition.

The next quarter-final round will take place in Al Marmoon, on Friday, January 20, at 9pm.

Dubai, 24 December 2022: Young Emirati Zayed Al-Marri flawlessly displayed his skills in heritage sports and registered a perfect score of 100 points to advance to the next round of the 23rd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 18th edition of Al Meydan Program, organised annually by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC).

Saeed Al Shamsi also showed his composure and advanced with 65 points during Episode 3 of the competition over the weekend in Al Marmoom, Dubai.

Excitement and anticipation are now intensifying as the two young yuweels (participants) have joined Ali Al-Azizi, Muhammad Al-Ketbi, Abdullah Bel-Hali, and Ali Al-Ghafli, who qualified earlier in the first two episodes. Two more yuweels are awaited to complete the final cast of quarterfinalists for the next Meydan Grand Knight.

Perfect score

Al-Marri achieved the full score of 100 points and became the first yuweel this season to dominate all six competitions, including Youlah, camel racing, Saktoun (traditional Emirati rifle) shooting, Arabic poetry reading, swimming and the newly-introduced ‘What is the picture’ competition.

Al-Marri thanked his family and friends as well as the organisers and trainers from HHC for guiding him throughout the tournament.  Al Shamsi also expressed his happiness for moving to the next round.

Results

The third episode of the elimination round saw the Youlah competition, refereed by Khalifa bin Sabeen, saw tight competition from the four Yuweels. But in the end, Al-Marri and Theyab Al-Nuaimi went above everyone with their superb footwork and skillful hands catching the replica rifle to score 25 points each.

Al Marri added 20 more points in the ‘What is the picture’ competition and also dominated the swimming competition held earlier at the Hamdan Sports Complex to claim 10 more points.

In Saktoun, both Zayed Al-Marri and Saeed Al-Shamsi were on target and garnered 15 markers each.

In Arabic poetry reading, judged by poet Muhammad Al-Murr Al-Abd, participants were asked to memorise and recite poems by the UAE’s Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Both Theyab Al-Nuaimi and Zayed Al-Marri scored high in this competition

Saeed Al Shamsi and Zayed Al Marri pulled away in the camel race with a one-two finish and earned 20 points each.

Strong focus

Nathalie Awadissian, HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Communication, and Head of the Organising Committee for HHC Championships, commended the yuweels for their strong showing during the competition. She added intense training and preparation were the key in their strong performance. She also encouraged the qualifiers to continue their training and maintain their strong focus in the competition.

The third episode of the elimination round was broadcast live over Sama TV Dubai and Al-Oula Radio 107.4 FM. Marshan bin Noman al-Kaabi, who was the episode’s guest, commended HHC for organising the annual heritage competition and for instilling a strong sense of cultural affinity to the young Emiratis.

Episode 4

The fourth round of elimination will take place on Friday, December 30, at 9pm.

Thirty-four camel riders from 15 countries are taking part in the 9th edition of the annual UAE Camel Trek, organised by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), that kicked off early this week and will conclude on December 30.

The highly-anticipated annual camel trek is the biggest to date in terms of participants of different ages and nationalities. They will enjoy a unique desert experience akin to the old ways of the Bedouins, where they will traverse over 600 kms of the UAE desert from Arada in Abu Dhabi to Tal Mera’b, Alkharza, Qasr al-Sarab reserve area, Arabian Oryx reserve, South of Umm Anz, Umm Alhubb, south of Butais reserve, south of Alkhazna, Seih Almeih/ Sweihan, Al Ajban, Seih Alsalam, and until they reach their final destination at  Heritage village in Global Village Dubai on December 30.

Camel trekkers

Among the 34 desert voyagers are Emiratis Afra Rashed Ahmed, Ali Mohammad Aljaeidi

Hamdah Mohd Abdullah, Mohammed Musabah Al Makhmari and Ahmed Juma Alkaabi. Joining them from France are Aude Derflinger and Marie Checri.

From the USA are Salmaan Sekou Ahmed, Taylor Michelle Dees, Enoch Castleberry, Joshua Kolapo and Howard Leedham. From Yemen are Iman Mohammed Abdullah, Reem Mohammed Abdullah, and Bushra Ali Alameri 

Also part of the caravan are William Henry Pardoe from UK; Cristiano Fregoni from Italy; Malikat Kostenko from Russia; Jean Pierre Bernardus (South Africa); Ronad Sachin and Joe George Joseph from India; Javed Qadir (Pakistan); Renata Padilha (Brasil); Rawan Samer Salah (Jordan); Lin Mazen Rihawi (Syria); Cyndi Faber (Luxembourg); Nicole Busetto (Italy); Emilia Piesker (Germany); Xiaozhe Huo (China); and Madawi Alahmad from Saudi Arabia.

Biggest number of participants

The 600+km camel caravan is being led by HHC CEO Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, who expressed his happiness with the high number of participants and the diversity of nationalities in the annual camel trek. 

According to HHC, over 400 applicants applied this year for the annual camel trek and the list was trimmed down to the participants who underwent several weeks of rigorous training and preparation for the desert expedition.

Bin Dalmook also underlined the support and inspiration given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in promoting the UAE’s cultural heritage in the framework of spreading the principle of peace and cultural tolerance among the different peoples of the world.

He added: “It is of great pride and honor that we showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage to the world through this annual camel trek organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre.

Desert caravan

The caravan will follow a prepared route and the camel trekkers will rest at camping stations in the middle of the desert. They are provided with all necessary requirements by HHC for the entire voyage, including food, drink, individual tents, and the camels that they use for the journey.

They all underwent a rigorous training programme at a camel farm in Dubai, months prior to the camel trek. During training, the participants developed a level of fitness and aptitude for the desert voyage. They did not only learn how to ride camel but they were also trained to travel in a convoy, and were familiarised with life in the desert. Everyone’s health is a priority as all safety and precautionary measures will be enforced, noted HHC

Unique desert experience

British expat Howard Leedham, who is now on his second year to participate in the annual camel trek, said: “I always have a huge interest in Emirati culture and participating last year gave me a completely different cultural experience. I returned this year to have another wonderful experience in the desert.”

French expatriates Aude Derflinger and Marie Checri, meanwhile, said doing the camel trek will bring them closer to understanding the old ways of Bedouin life in the desert.

“This desert voyage for us is a once in a lifetime experience that we will surely enjoy. We are sure that we will also forge camaraderie and strong friendship with other participants. And we thank HHC for organizing this annual camel trek,” they added.

Dubai, 18 December 2022: Two more young Emiratis have qualified to continue the journey to become the next Meydan Grand Knight, following intense competition during Episode 2 of the 23rd Fazza Championship for Youlah and 18th edition of Al Meydan Program over the weekend in Al Marmoom.

The intensity was high from the start of the programme as four yuweels (participants) showcased their skills in Youlah – the heritage sport where yuweels are judged based on their footwork and fluidity of performance while dancing and throwing a replica wooden rifle. The also competed in camel racing, Saktoun (traditional Emirati rifle) shooting, Arabic poetry reading, swimming and the newly-introduced ‘What is the picture’ competition.

As soon as the dust settled, Emirati teenagers Ali Al-Azizi from Al Ain and Ali Al-Ghafli from Ajman emerged as the winners, following the correction of scores, with 70 and 65 points respectively.

Khaled Al-Menhali from Abu Dhabi and Ahmed Al-Rashdi from Sharjah did not make the cut after settling with 45 markers each.

Amendment 

Initially Khaled Al-Menhali was announced as the one who qualified to the next but following the review of scores, Ali Al-Ghafli was declared the qualifier after he and Al-Azizi both gave the correct answer during the “What is the picture” competition about a marine image related to diving.  They both earned to 20 marks, while Al-Menhali and Al-Rashidi did not pronounce correctly the right word.

Results

There were a total of 6 competitions. In the ‘What is the picture’ competition, both Al-Azizi and Al-Ghafli answered correctly what is the marine image from a heritage sport related to diving, and both earned 20 marks each. 

Khaled Al-Minhali and Ali Al-Azizi, meanwhile, shone brighter in Youlah and received 25 points each during the segment refereed by Khalifa bin Sabeen, who advised the yuweels to focus on enhancing their skills in throwing the replica as high as they can while displaying their grace in footwork and traditional dancing.

In the swimming competition held earlier at Hamdan Sports Complex, Ali Al-Ghafli and Ahmed Al-Rashdi won with 15 markers each, while in Saktoun shooting that was held live on

on Al Meydan stage, Ali Al-Azizi and Ahmed Al-Rashdi were on mark to hit the target and scored 15 points each. 

In the Arabic poetry competition, which was judged by poet Muhammad Al-Murr Al-Abd, the participants recited a poem from the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Both Ali Al-Azizi and Ali Al-Ghafli showed their flair in poetry and scored high on points.

In the camel race also held live at Al Marmoom camel race track, Khaled Al Menhali and Ali Al Ghafli emerged as the top two finished and each scored 20 points.

Thanks to supporters

One of the winning yuweels, Al-Azizi said: “I dedicate my qualification to the next round to everyone who supported me and helped me during the qualifiers until this moment. It was a strong competition with my brothers Al-Menhali and Al-Ghafli, and I thank God, I was able to qualify. The next stage requires more effort because the competition will certainly increase, so I will work double during trainings.

Highlighting Emirati heritage

Nathalie Awadissian, HHC Director of Radio Stations Department, Media and Communication, and Head of the Organising Committee for HHC Championships, highlighted HHC’s goal in promoting Emirati heritage among the youth. She noted HHC has been holding the competition for 23 years and every year, the championship grows bigger in terms of participation and level of competition.

The second episode of the elimination round was presented by Rashid Al Khasouni, HHC Director of Championships, and broadcast live over Sama TV Dubai and Al-Oula Radio 107.4 FM. Poet Dhiyab bin Ghanem Al Mazrouei, who holds a Ph.D. in political science, was the episode’s guest and recited one of his poems.

Episode 3

The third round of elimination will take place on Friday, December 23, at 9pm.