Doha, November 14 (QNA) - Chairman of the Mafareed Challenge Festival Ali Al Hamidi said the event attracted tremendous participation from Qatari camel owners and those from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, with its third edition achieving success that far exceeded all expectations.
The festival, the first event organized by the Qatar Camel Beauty Club for the 2026-2027 season, saw striking improvements in competition standards throughout its seven days, with incredibly fierce competition marking the vast majority of rounds in both the local and international categories, Al Hamidi told Qatar News Agency (QNA).
He added that this year's edition was characterized by the five Challenge Banner heats, which have become a distinctive hallmark and one of the festival's most prominent features, adding tremendous competitive momentum and providing participants with considerable incentives to vie for titles that carry immense symbolic value and a special standing among camel owners, alongside their valuable financial prizes.
Al Hamidi said the five heats in this year's edition have cemented their standing as a symbol of excellence in camel beauty competitions across the GCC, noting that they have enhanced the value of winning these titles, elevated the level of competition among camel owners, and consolidated the festival's standing and objectives, particularly in preserving the enduring heritage and strengthening its presence among generations to come.
Al Hamidi highlighted that the remarkable success of the festival's third edition is a testament to the important role the club plays in advancing the traditional sport passed down by forefathers, as well as to the tremendous interest participating owners have shown in breeding and acquiring the finest camel breeds, an interest that was conspicuously evident, with fierce competition across the vast majority of heats standing writ large throughout the festival.
Al Hamidi acknowledged that he hadn't anticipated such a tremendous turnout from camel owners in Qatar and other GCC countries at this year's festival. He extended his congratulations to all the winners across multiple heats, especially those crowned on the closing day.
He also thanked everyone who had contributed to the event's success, including the owners, all those involved and the huge crowds of spectators who had turned out to watch the heats. 
Their commitment reflected how much the people of Qatar truly love the traditional sports passed down by their forefathers, in a heritage carnival that celebrates this enduring legacy, Al Hamidi underscored, emphasizing that he looks forward to further success in both organization and participation at upcoming club-organized festivals.
In addition, Al Hamidi extended his gratitude to all public institutions and officials who took part in this heritage event, which has consistently helped preserve the time-honored sports of Qatari forebears. He noted that the club is now preparing for the sixth edition of Qatar Camel Festival "Jazilat Al-Atta" 2027. (QNA)