Traditional Sports

For thousands of years, the people of the Arabian Peninsula have enjoyed sporting activities. Ancient accounts tell of long-distance horse and camel races while falconry and hunting with dogs were traditional sports. The swift saluki hound, named for an ancient city in southern Arabia, is considered by most historians to be the world's oldest domesticated dog. The breed has long been a prominent symbol of hunting prowess and was often depicted in the ancient arts and crafts of the Middle East.

Falconry is a traditional sport with a long history in Saudi Arabia. In this fast-paced and exciting sport, man and animal work together in precise coordination. Because much of the falcon's traditional prey is now endangered, falconry has been limited and is carefully regulated.

Horse and camel racing are other traditional sports that are even more popular today than they were in the past. The famous Arabian horse has a bloodline that dates back thousands of years. Beautiful, intelligent and loyal, the Arabian horse is one of the world's most sought-after breeds. Modern racetracks in Saudi Arabia resemble similar facilities throughout the world. although betting is prohibited.

Camel racing was a traditional desert sport of Bedouin tribes. Great in scale and spectacle, the race involved thousands of animals speeding across the open desert. Today, the desert racing rules have been modified for modern racetracks, and camel races are held every Monday during the winter months at Riyadh Stadium. The annual King's Camel Race, instituted in 1974, has quickly become one of the world's most important camel races. Between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators usually attend the races, which are held on a 13.6 mile track. More than 2,000 camels and their riders compete in the annual camel races during the National Heritage and Culture Festival at Jenadriyah.