Robot Camel Jockeys
The issue of child camel jockeys has been an embarrassing one for the Emirates. Camel racing is one of the UAE's traditional sports and an important part of the region's heritage. Several thousand boys, some as young as four, worked as jockeys - many after being abducted or sold by their families. One in a series of laws was introduced in 2005 to forbid the use of jockeys under the age of 16 from taking part in the sport. Robot jockeys have been designed for the purpose to be used in the races. The mechanical jockey is light in weight and receives orders from the instructor via a remote control system fixed on the back of the camel.
by Ezequiel Scagnetti
