Meatball Monday

Sports come from various areas around the world and some are different from what we are used to seeing played in Canada, but regardless all are unique to their part of the  world.

This one, strange but true comes from the Aegean region of Turkey and is practiced in other areas of the Middle East and South Asia.

It’s called Camel fighting and originated among some ancient Turkic tribes over some 2,400 years ago and it is said that camel’s also wrestle in the wild.

It is said that during the 1850’s a military officer (American) was impressed by this popular sport of Camel Wrestling in Turkey and tried to establish a Camel Wrestling tournament in of all places Texas.

This failed to happen in part due to the American civil War in 1861, but in the early 20ties the Turkish National Aviation League held Camel fights as a fund raiser to purchase and buy planes for the Government.

The government of Turkey worked to discourage this practice saying it as too backwards of a practice, but in the 1980s the new government of Turkey began encouraging the competitions as a unique part of Turkey’s historic culture.

In 1961 during the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11 the contest was dropped as it was said to be “too fierce” for the Queen.

In the area there are (possibly) thirty annual festivals in Aegean Turkey each calendar year and run November to March.

Around one hundred fighting camels take part in these events, with each camel competing in approximately ten matches, so no shortage of fan support.

The events always take place on Sundays in football stadiums and typically last ten minutes each and not only do the camel’s fight, at times so do the owners.

Interesting that while this is in some areas other areas of the world still practice Camel Racing, which is extremely popular in Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and even Australia.

It’s interesting that this sport (?) is said to be too violent, yet we hear about the annual Running of the Bulls and we have to ask “what is worse”?

Clearly this is not a sport you will see on Delta TV.