Traditional Sports In Dubai
Dubai Sports - Traditional Sports In Dubai by Dubai City Guide Summer 2008
Although the once vast desert land is no longer obvious and Bedouin pastimes are mostly obsolete, modern Dubai still enjoys traditional sports and pastimes during family gatherings, holidays and festivals. Among these are camel racing and falconry. Fishing, boating and pearl diving were also once greatly enjoyed and old-style indulgence is still undertaken at times.
Camel Racing
The camel is popularly referred to as the ship of the desert and God’s gift to the Bedouins. Among the many uses of a camel, racing is something the ancient Bedouins created as a pastime. The traditional camel races were held in the deserts, but at present, these races take place in crafted camel racing tracks. The most famous camel racing track in Dubai is the Nad Al Sheba, located on the city outskirts. An impressive grandstand shaped like a Bedouin tent completes this traditional Arab sporting venue and the stadium is packed to capacity during annual events.
Falconry
This is an extremely dangerous sport if undertaken by untrained persons. Falconry is much more of an art than a sport, because it involves a highly-trained eagle, hawk or similar raptor or preying birds pursuing game animals for humans. The most commonly used bird breed in Dubai is the Houbura Bustard. The National Falcon Centre at Nad Al Sheba acts as the core for falconry activity in Dubai.
Fishing, Boating & Pearl Diving
Getting on a wooden dhow and sailing to the middle of the ocean to catch some fish with traditional fishing nets is a great pastime. Although it’s not heavily in practice now, it used to be the sustenance of families during the pre-oil era in the UAE. Boating is also enjoyed by both older and younger generations, because the small hand-crafted boats take them along the beautiful Gulf coast with the modern lifestyle left behind and forgotten for awhile. Pearl diving used to be another source of income before oil was discovered and the activity still remains around the coastline, but only as a pastime and more in the form of scuba diving.
