ROBOT jockeys go head-to-head with human riders in many camel races nowadays. The move towards robot jockeys has come about following growing international pressure over the use of children in camel racing. These children have been widely reported as suffering human rights abuses and several countries - including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar -have banned human jockeys outright. The use of robots in the 8h Sharqia Camel Race Festival inEgypt last month upset many human riders, because they are afraid that it will threaten their livelihood. "When I was six, I started camel racing,” says 12-year-old Youssef Soleiman. "I've progressed in this sport, which gains me my livelihood. I treat my camel like my own brother. He needs someone to feed and water him. But now robots are taking over, what will I do?" he asks angrily. Robot jockeys first appeared back in 2001, when the Qatari authorities approached Swiss robotics manufacturer K-Team about creating an alternative to human jockeys in anticipation of a ban. Since the first working robots - by then smaller, lightweight models manufactured in Qatar in preference to the Swiss versions debuted in 2004, they have become increasingly widely used across the Arab world. In the Sharqia Festival, held on the outskirts of the city of Belbeis near Cairo, camel racers from many Arab countries compete in races split into categories that, much like horse racing, are based on the age of the camels and the length of the course. Egypt's tribes, from Ismailia, Suez, the Red Sea, Aswan, Qena, Sohag,the New Valley, North Sinai and South Sinai governorates, all participated in this year's event. Sheikh Salman el-Sawarka, one of the participants in the Sharqia event, opposes the use of robots, which were being used for the first time in Egypt. "Robots spoil the pleasure of racing. The international authorities, which have banned riders in races, want to damage this unique Arab sport," he was quoted as saying by Radio & TV magazine. "Why don't the international authorities insist on robots being used for horse racing too?" he asked. "Using robots in Sharqia was a shambles. The camels went shooting off in every direction. Camels should be ridden by a person." The relationship between the camel and the tribe was established thousands of years ago in Egypt, home to numerous camel breeds, while camel races have become, over the centuries, part and parcel of Arab culture. "Raising camels is a traditional activity, inherited from our grandfathers," Salama el-Moqeid, the sheikh of al-Howaitat tribe, says. "Camels represent everything for us. They are our fortune, food and heritage. We love them like our own children. "There is a bond between camels and Bedouins. Thereare two kinds of camels: original camels and 'Khawara' camels, which are used for carrying water, luggage and crops. "We start training camels for racing when they are three years old, but they only start racing in earnest when they are aged seven or eight,” he explains. Egyptian officials are delighted that UNICEF should recommend using robots in camel racing. "Robots are far safer than using children,” says Mohamed el-Seifi, who organised this year's race. "We should implement UNICEF's recommendations. “The purpose of the race is to promote tourism, because many foreigners come and watch it every year. This is an exciting sport. It allows tribes inside and outside Egypt to make contact with each other.” Last month's race in el-Sharqia Governorate was won by 'Ghanani', a camel from el-Shararat tribe in the New Valley, while his colleague 'Tafani Bakr', a she-camel, was awarded the title Miss Camel. 'Al-Kayed', a camel from Al- Abaida tribe inIsmailia, came second. Perhaps Ghanani and Tafani Bakr should get together and have lots of little award-winning camels.
