Sanam Competition 2025: A private island and 5 million riyals at the Camel Festival
In an unprecedented move reflecting the significant development of the camel sector in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Camel Club, revealed details of the grand prize for this year's "Sanam" competition, which is part of the 10th edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. The announcement resonated widely in local and regional circles due to the prize's value and unique nature.
Sanam Island: An exceptional award
Ibn Hathleen announced the allocation of a private island, named "Sanam Island," as the grand prize for the winner of the "Ra'i Al-Nazar Platform" competition. This prize marks a significant milestone in the festival's awards history, as the winner will not only receive ownership of the island but also the honor of greeting the festival's patron and winning the prestigious "Al-Shaddad" award, adding immense symbolic and material value to the title.
Competition mechanism and financial prizes
The competition relies on precise point-scoring criteria, with 50 candidates competing as team leaders. The competition extends beyond owners to include audience and technical engagement through the "Sanam Game." Points are awarded based on active participation in the festival and the team's technical performance. In addition to the Al Jazeera Owner's Award, substantial cash prizes totaling 5 million Saudi Riyals have been allocated for players on competing teams and the top ten finishers on the winning team.
From private jet to island: The challenge escalates
This announcement reaffirms the Camel Club's commitment to consistently impressing its audience and raising the bar year after year. It's worth noting that the previous edition of the competition featured a private plane as the prize for the winner of the "Peninsula's Herd" title, and this year's announcement of a "Private Island" further underscores the club's dedication to solidifying the festival's position as one of the world's largest entertainment and cultural events.
King Abdulaziz Camel Festival: A Global Heritage Facility
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held annually in the southern Al-Dahna desert, is the largest festival of its kind in the world. It serves as a cultural, economic, and sporting gathering aimed at preserving and promoting camel heritage within Saudi, Arab, and Islamic culture. The festival enjoys generous royal patronage, reflecting the wise leadership's keen interest in this rich heritage, which is deeply intertwined with the history of the Arabian Peninsula and the unification of the Kingdom.
Economic and cultural dimensions
These competitions aim not only to foster competition but also to contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by supporting the camel economy and promoting heritage tourism. Camel Club initiatives, such as linking competitions to electronic applications and modern games, broaden interest in this cultural heritage to include young people, transforming the hobby from mere observation into impactful, interactive participation, thus ensuring the sustainability of this heritage for future generations.
