Camel racing

Camel racing has an inglorious recent past in the UAE. Young boys, reportedly between 2 and 7, were taken mainly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and used as lightweight jockeys. There is no doubt this was dangerous and frightening for the children, and there are allegations that some died.

Thankfully, this is now a thing of the past with the children replaced with robot jockeys. The UAE has been setting up rehabilitation programmes for former camel jockeys and trying to make amends.

In spite of this, I still find it a compelling spectacle and the jockeys this morning, all grown men, seemed happy and waved and smiled as they went past.