Decree No. (38) of 2024

Concerning the

Dubai Camel Racing Club[1]

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Federal Law No. (15) of 2005 Regulating Participation in Camel Races and its amendments;

Law No. (1) of 2016 Concerning the Financial Regulations of the Government of Dubai, its Implementing Bylaw, and their amendments;

Law No. (4) of 2018 Establishing the Financial Audit Authority;

Law No. (26) of 2023 Concerning the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai; and

Resolution No. (6) of 2008 Establishing the Dubai Camel Racing Club,

Do hereby issue this Decree.

Definitions

Article (1)

The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Decree, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

UAE:

The United Arab Emirates.

Emirate:

The Emirate of Dubai.

Executive Council:

The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.

Office:

The Zaabeel Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

DCRC:

The Dubai Camel Racing Club.

Chairman:

The Chairman of the DCRC.

Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors of the DCRC.

CEO:

The Chief Executive Officer of the DCRC.

Applicability of this Decree to the DCRC

Article (2)

This Decree applies to the DCRC established pursuant to the above-mentioned Resolution No. (6) of 2008 as a public corporation, which has legal personality and the legal capacity required to undertake all acts and dispositions that ensure the achievement of its objectives, and which is affiliated to the Office.

Head Office of the DCRC

Article (3)

The head office of the DCRC will be located in the Emirate. Other branches and offices of the DCRC may be established within and outside of the Emirate pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman.

Objectives of the DCRC

Article (4)

The DCRC aims to:

1.    contribute to promoting the Emirate as a regional and international centre for camel racing;

2.    develop, promote, and encourage the sport of camel racing with a view to elevating it to international standards;

3.    preserve camel racing as a vital integral part of the UAE’s historical and authentic Arab heritage, and encourage future generations to protect and sustain this tradition;

4.    foster the culture of purebred Arabian camels, broaden the camel racing knowledge base, and disseminate this knowledge base worldwide; and

5.    devote special attention to promoting purebred Arabian camel breeds, and commit to preserving and documenting their data for future generations.

Functions of the DCRC

Article (5)

For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the DCRC will have the duties and powers to:

1.    own and manage the DCRC and any other facilities it establishes, and own any other camel racing facilities or clubs within the Emirate;

2.    perform the transactions and work related to the DCRC activities and required for the achievement of its objectives, including conducting business activities;

3.    adopt the international principles and standards relating to camel racing;

4.    conduct the studies and research that are relevant to camel racing, and develop camel racing-related activities;

5.    organise, or participate in organising, local and international camel racing competitions in coordination with the concerned Government Entities;

6.    establish, and regularly develop, the regulations, bylaws, and provisions related to camel racing sports and competitions, in accordance with the relevant international principles and standards;

7.    organise, and participate in organising, specialised events, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and programmes in fields that are relevant to the achievement of the objectives of the DCRC;

8.    coordinate, cooperate, and participate with the concerned Government Entities to establish the standards and rules for licensing camel establishments and their activities in the Emirate, with a view to achieving the objectives of the DCRC;

9.    coordinate, cooperate, and participate with the concerned Government Entities to establish the rules related to the smallholdings designated for camel racing; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval, in preparation for their final approval by the Chairman;

10.  issue and publish printed material, including books and bulletins, and audio and video recordings related to camel racing;

11.  hold, organise, and supervise camel auctions; and establish the requirements and rules for organising them;

12.  create a database of purebred Arabian camel breeds, and use this database to achieve the objectives of the DCRC;

13.  establish, in accordance with the legislation in force, companies and corporations, either solely or in partnership with other persons, in fields that are relevant to the work of the DCRC;

14.  own, lease out, rent, invest, use, develop, and utilise the movable and immovable property required for the achievement of the objectives of the DCRC; and

15.  exercise any other duties or powers required to enable the DCRC to achieve its objectives under this Decree, as assigned to it by the Ruler, the Chairman of the Executive Council, or the Chairman.

Chairman of the DCRC

Article (6)

A Chairman will be appointed to the DCRC pursuant to a Resolution issued by the Ruler.

Functions of the Chairman

Article (7)

a.    The Chairman will undertake general supervision of the work of the DCRC and issue the resolutions required for enabling the DCRC to achieve its objectives and perform its duties and functions under this Decree, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. For this purpose, the Chairman will have the duties and powers to:

1.    approve the general policy and strategic and development plans of the DCRC;

2.    exercise general oversight over the achievement of the objectives of the DCRC;

3.    approve the organisational structure of the DCRC, and establish the governance rules of the Board of Directors;

4.    approve the annual draft budget of the DCRC;

5.    establish any subsidiaries to the DCRC as required for the achievement of its objectives; and

6.    exercise any other duties or powers assigned to him by the Ruler or the Chairman of the Executive Council.

b.    The Chairman may delegate any of his powers under this Decree to the Board of Director or the CEO, provided that the delegation is specific and in writing.

Board of Directors of the DCRC

Article (8)

The DCRC will have a Board of Directors comprised of a chairman, vice chairman, and a number of experienced, competent, and specialised members appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman. Membership of the Board of Directors will be for a renewable period of three (3) years.

Functions of the Board of Directors

Article (9)

a.    The Board of Directors will undertake general supervision of the affairs and activities of the DCRC, and regulate its work in a manner that ensures the achievement of its objectives. In particular, the Board of Directors will have the duties and powers to:

1.    approve the general policy and the strategic, development, and operational plans of the DCRC; and submit the same to the Chairman for final approval;

2.    approve the services, work, projects, and activities of the DCRC that are related to the achievement of its objectives;

3.    discuss and approve the resolutions and bylaws regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DCRC, the Board of Directors, and the executive body;

4.    approve the bylaws regulating camel races, the rules for participation in these races, and any other bylaws or rules governing the activities and projects of the DCRC; and submit the same to the Chairman for final approval;

5.    form committees for organising camel races and determine their duties and powers; propose the remuneration of the members of these committees; and submit the same to the Chairman for approval;

6.    discuss and approve the organisational structure of the DCRC and the governance rules of the Board of Directors, and submit the same to the Chairman for final approval;

7.    discuss the draft annual budget of the DCRC and submit the same to the Office for approval as part of its annual budget;

8.    discuss the annual Financial Statements of the DCRC and submit the same to the Office for approval in accordance with the legislation in force;

9.    allocate duties to members of the Board of Directors to enable the Board of Directors to efficiently and effectively perform its functions;

10.  appoint the rapporteur of the Board of Directors and determine his duties;

11.  approve the annual and phase-based work plans that are relevant to the achievement of the DCRC’s objectives, and direct the CEO to implement these plans;

12.  form permanent and temporary specialised committees and work teams as required for the DCRC’s activities and objectives to assist the Board of Directors in performing its duties; issue the bylaws regulating its work; and determine the remunerations and allowances of the members of these committees and work teams;

13.  review the annual performance reports of the DCRC, and present the same to the Chairman; and

14.  exercise any other duties or powers related to the achievement of objectives of the DCRC, as assigned to it by the Chairman.

b.    The Board of Directors may delegate any of its powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to the chairman of the Board of Directors or any of its members, or to the CEO, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing.

Functions of the Chairman of the Board of Directors

Article (10)

The chairman of the Board of Directors will have the duties and powers to:

1.    assume leadership and provide guidance, with a view to ensuring the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Board of Directors, and enabling the DCRC to achieve its objectives and perform its duties and functions under this Decree, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate;

2.    preside over and manage the meetings of the Board of Directors in a manner that ensures the active participation of members by providing their opinions, suggestions, and recommendations on the matters referred to them;

3.    approve the schedule of ordinary and extraordinary meetings and their agendas, taking into consideration any off-agenda matters raised by members of the Board of Directors;

4.    represent the Board of Directors before third parties;

5.    manage the evaluation process of the Board of Directors; monitor the periodic performance appraisal of the members, sub-committees, and the work teams of the Board of Directors; and submit the performance appraisal outcomes and the annual work report to the Chairman to issue the relevant directives as he deems appropriate;

6.    review the composition of the Board of Directors to ensure efficient performance; nominate its members; and submit their names to the Chairman to issue the relevant directives as he deems appropriate;

7.    resolve any dispute that may arise amongst the members of the Board of Directors to ensure a consensus is reached, whenever possible, in respect of resolutions and recommendations; and

8.    exercise any other duties or powers assigned or delegated to him by the Chairman.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

Article (11)

a.    The Board of Directors will convene at the invitation of its chairman, or the vice chairman where the chairman is absent, at least twice a year or where necessary, at the time and place determined by the chair of the meeting.

b.    At its first meeting, the Board of Directors will select a vice chairman, who will perform the duties of the chairman of the Board of Directors where he is absent or where his post falls vacant for any reason whatsoever.

c.     Meetings of the Board of Directors will be valid if attended by the majority of its members, provided that the chairman or vice chairman is in attendance. Resolutions and recommendations of the Board of Directors will be passed by majority vote of the attending members, and in the event of a tie, the chair of the meeting will have the casting vote.

d.    Resolutions and recommendations of the Board of Directors will be recorded in minutes signed by the chair of the meeting and the rapporteur of the Board of Directors.

e.    In cases of urgency, the Board of Directors may issue resolutions and recommendations by circulation. In such cases, the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the members must be obtained, provided that such resolutions and recommendations are presented to the Board of Directors during its next meeting to include them in its minutes of meetings.

Governance of the Board of Directors

Article (12)

All matters related to the governance of the Board of Directors, the duties of its chairman and of its members, and to its performance appraisal will be governed by the relevant regulation approved by the Chairman.

Appointment and Functions of the CEO

Article (13)

a.    A CEO will be appointed to the DCRC pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council upon the recommendation of the Chairman.

b.    The CEO will be directly responsible to the chairman of the Board of Directors for achieving the objectives of the DCRC and for exercising the duties and powers assigned to him under this Decree, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.

c.     The CEO will supervise the daily work of the DCRC and manage and administer its affairs. In addition, he will be responsible for implementing the DCRC’s approved policies and the resolutions issued by the Board of Directors, and will exercise the powers and authority required for the achievement of the DCRC’s objectives. The CEO will, in particular, have the duties and power to:

1.    propose the general policy and the strategic, development, and operational plans of the DCRC; submit these to the Board of Directors for approval; and follow up on their implementation upon approval by the Chairman;

2.    propose the organisational structure of the DCRC in coordination with the Office, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for discussion and approval, in preparation for its final approval by the Chairman;

3.    propose the resolutions and bylaws regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DCRC, the Board of Directors, and the executive body; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

4.    take the necessary action to ensure implementation of the resolutions issued by the Board of Directors and compliance with the legislation in force in the Emirate, the resolutions and regulations issued in pursuance thereof, and any other legislation related to the work and activities of the DCRC;

5.    prepare, in coordination with the Office, the draft annual budget and Financial Statements of the DCRC; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for discussion;

6.    propose the bylaws regulating camel races, the rules for participation in these races, and any other bylaws or rules governing the activities and projects of the DCRC; and submit the same to the Board of Directors for approval;

7.    approve financial transactions, including bank remittances and cheques, subject to the financial regulations and bylaws adopted by the DCRC and to the applicable delegation of authority matrix;

8.    sign, in the DCRC’s name and on its behalf, contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding in accordance with the relevant powers conferred on him by the Board of Directors;

9.    supervise performance by the DCRC's executive body of the duties assigned to it under this Decree, the resolution issued in pursuance hereof, and the bylaws and regulations adopted in this respect;

10.  supervise the organisational units included in the approved organisational structure of the DCRC; prepare periodic and annual reports on their work; and submit the same to the Board of Directors;

11.  undertake supervision, guidance, and follow-up of the activities related to the achievement of the objectives of the DCRC;

12.  prepare the annual reports relevant to the various activities of the DCRC, and submit the same to the Board of Directors to take the necessary action in respect thereof;

13.  form permanent and temporary sub-committees and work teams to assist him in performing his duties and achieving the objectives of the DCRC; and determine the duties, powers, and tenures of these sub-committees and work teams; and

14.  exercise any other duties or powers related to the achievement of the objectives of the DCRC, as assigned or delegated to him by the Chairman or the Board of Directors.

d.    The CEO may delegate any of his powers under paragraph (c) of this Article to any of the heads of the concerned organisational units of the DCRC, provided that this delegation is specific and in writing.

Executive Body of the DCRC

Article (14)

a.    The executive body of the DCRC will be comprised of the CEO, and a number of employees and other personnel.

b.    The executive body of the DCRC will be responsible for performing the operational work of the DCRC and for providing the required support to the Board of Directors, in accordance with the relevant bylaws, regulations, and resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors and the CEO.

c.     The employees of the executive body of the DCRC will be subject to the relevant human resources regulation adopted by the Board of Directors. The provisions of this regulation must be consistent with the Government of Dubai human resources legislation.

Financial Resources of the DCRC

Article (15)

The financial resources of the DCRC will consist of:

1.    the financial appropriations allocated to the DCRC in the annual budget of the Office;

2.    the fees and charges collected by the DCRC in return for the services it provides;

3.    the fines imposed by the DCRC for the violations related to camel racing;

4.    the proceeds generated from camel auctions;

5.    the returns on the investment of the property of the DCRC;

6.    the grants, gifts, donations, bequests provided to the DCRC and accepted by the Board of Directors; and

7.    any other resources approved by the Chairman.

Accounts and Financial Year of the DCRC

Article (16)

a.    In managing its accounts and records, the DCRC will apply the rules and principles of government accounting.

b.    The signing of contracts, agreements, bank remittances, cheques, and account management instructions issued by the DCRC to the concerned banks in the UAE, will be subject to the financial approval powers bylaw adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Office in accordance with the relevant legislation in force.

c.     The Financial Year of the DCRC will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of the same year.

d.    The accounts of the DCRC will be subject to control and audit by the Financial Audit Authority.

Cooperation with the DCRC

Article (17)

All Government Entities in the Emirate and other concerned entities must fully cooperate with the DCRC to enable it to achieve its objectives and perform its functions under this Decree, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate; and must provide the DCRC, upon request, with all forms of support.

Issuing Implementing Resolutions

Article (18)

Except for the resolutions which the Chairman is exclusively authorised to issue under this Decree, the chairman of the Board of Directors or his authorised representative will, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, issue the resolutions required for implementing the provisions of this Decree.

Repeals

Article (19)

a.    The above-mentioned Resolution No. (6) of 2008 is hereby repealed. Any provision in any other legislation will also be repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Decree.

b.    The bylaws, resolutions, regulations, and instructions issued in implementation of the above-mentioned Resolution No. (6) of 2008 will continue in force, to the extent that they do not contradict the provisions of this Decree, until new superseding bylaws, resolutions, regulations, and instructions are issued.

Commencement and Publication

Article (20)

This Decree comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 12 June 2024

 Corresponding to 6 Thu al-Hijjah 1445 A.H.



©2025 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.