- Oil wrestling? Sure, why not?
Football, or soccer, often hailed as “the king of sports,” has reigned supreme since the establishment of the Football League in Manchester back in 1888. It has captured the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide, and the Middle East is no exception to its global influence. However, amidst the dominance of football in the region, there lies a fascinating realm of obscure and extraordinary games that remain relatively unknown to the wider world. Prepare to be intrigued and captivated as we delve into the realm of Middle Eastern sports, where falconry, oil wrestling, and camel racing take center stage.
Camel Racing
Camels are an unquestionable symbol of the Middle East and contributed greatly to the region’s development. Traditionally used for transportation and food, camels have gained a more entertaining role in modern times. More specifically, camel racing competitions are held across many nations like the UAE, Joran, and Bahrain.
Even while these tall, humped creatures do not appear to be particularly swift, they can attain speeds of up to 40 mph. This implies that camel racing can be just as exciting and interesting as horse racing. Furthermore, the tournaments draw a large number of punters who cheer on their favorites at the track. Several of the Middle East’s best sports betting sites provide tempting odds to fans all around the world. Camel racing has seen a technical shift in the last ten years. Instead of utilizing human jockeys, owners now attach miniature, remote-controlled robots to their horses.
Falconry
The name itself oozes mystery, keeping you intrigued and ready to discover its secrets. And you’re on the right track because falcons do play an important role in this enthralling sport. Falconry, which dates back over 2,500 years, was historically used by falconers to provide food for their families through hunting. However, in recent years, the emphasis has switched to exhibits and even competitive tournaments.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a key center among countries embracing the art of falconry, organizing regular tournaments that attract a large number of players and their amazing winged companions. The crux of falconry is training these birds of prey to fly from their teachers’ arms, flying across the field towards an awaiting colleague holding a decoy that resembles their prey. What is the ultimate goal? To seize the decoy in the least amount of time possible. The famous Al Dhafra Festival Falconry Competitions last several days and include a variety of bird categories, including Telwah and Jernas.
Oil Wrestling
The sport of oil wrestling goes all the way back to Ottoman Empire times and it’s exactly what you’d expect. Turkey is the country that best kept the tradition of oil wrestling and hosts an annual tournament. The K?rkp?nar competition stretches over three days and the 2023 edition is scheduled for July.
The wrestlers only wear a Kispet (tight leather pants) and have their bodies covered in olive oil. Just like in regular wrestling, the fighters need to overpower their opponent. To win, a wrestler has to either put the other on his back, carry them three steps without the opponent’s feet touching the ground, or hold the other fighter upside down by his feet. Another way to win is ripping off the Kispet or simply exhausting the challenger until he gives up.
While oil wrestling may not be as popular as other contact sports, like UFC fighting, for example, it gathers plenty of spectators. The discipline was so popular in Turkey that it got integrated into military training.
Buzkashi
Buzkashi is the final entry in our list of weird sports from the Middle East and we saved the best for last. Roughly translated as “goat pulling”, Buzkashi is a team sport in which players on horseback pull a headless goat across a field. It may sound like something made up, but we assure you this is as real as it gets. Actually, it’s Afghanistan’s national sport and is played in Central Asia for hundreds of years. Afghanistan even has a National Buzkashi League competition that was won by Kandahar in the 2022 edition.
To get points, the players have to grab the goat from one end of the field, avoid opponents, and successfully drop it in the scoring circle. In Afghanistan, each team has 10 players but only five riders are allowed to play in a half. A Buzkashi match is split into two 45-minute halves and a 15-minute break in between.
Final Thoughts
These are just a handful of the unusual sports that originated in the Middle East. Which one strikes you as the oddest? While some people are familiar with disciplines practiced all across the world, others just would not work in Europe or other parts of the world. The Middle East is a treasure trove of unusual sports that defy assumptions and capture the imagination. So, the next time you explore the world of sports, remember to look beyond the obvious and embrace the Middle East’s wonderfully odd and unconventional offers.
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