Qatar’s Al Kuwari re-elected as President of Arab Union for Camel Racing, Syria admitted as newest member

The Arab Union for Camel Racing held its General Assembly meeting on 28 July in Doha, with representatives from 13 of its 16 full-member national entities participating remotely. The assembly conducted elections by acclamation, returning Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Kuwari to the presidency and appointing him chairman of the newly established Board of Directors. Hezam Nasser Al-Maqareh was named secretary-general and executive director, while Hadef Mohammed Hamad Al-Marri assumed the role of treasurer.

The General Assembly unanimously approved a comprehensive package of amendments to the union's founding statute and bylaws. These changes restructured the governance framework by renaming the leadership body to the Board of Directors and redefining the distribution of authority among the General Assembly, the board, the president, and the general secretariat. A significant aspect of the reforms grants national member entities substantially greater independence in managing their internal affairs, including the authority to establish their own regulations, create governing bodies, and organize their own elections and racing events.

Under the revised structure, the union's direct authority is now confined to championships and activities it organizes or directly supervises. Disputes within the union's jurisdiction will be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the union has been granted expanded scope to develop and regulate new sports connected to camels. In his remarks following his re-election, Al Kuwari emphasized that while Qatar had nominated him for the position, his responsibilities extend across all member nations. He pledged to work impartially with all members, drawing on shared Arab heritage and commitment to the sport.

The assembly also voted unanimously to admit the Syrian Camel Racing Federation as a member, effective immediately. Mohammed Al-Farra, president of the Syrian federation, submitted the membership request and was approved as Syria's representative to the union. Al Kuwari noted that the union strengthens through expanded Arab representation and indicated that membership would remain available to serious national entities committed to advancing the sport.

The union's next General Assembly meeting is scheduled to take place in Qatar in late April or early May 2027, coinciding with the Amir's Camel Race.