Afghan Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Saikal, attended the Voyages Camel Cup of Alice Springs on Saturday 9 July 2005.

Ambassador Saikal, dressed in traditional Afghan costume and riding a camel, led the opening parade of the Camel Cup during the morning session. Later in the afternoon, he personally presented the "Afghanistan Cup" to the winner.
This was the second year that "Afghanistan Cup" was presented by the Government of Afghanistan to the Camel Cup Carnival Races of Alice Springs.

Ambassador Saikal said: "Early Afghans introduced camel racing to Australia in the 1880's. They held camel races in Wilcannia, Bourke and Coolgardie areas. The Afghanistan Cup is being sponsored as a perpetual trophy in recognition of the contribution that early Afghans made to the development of outback Australia and the friendship between the people of the two countries".

More than five thousand people attended the carnival, among them senior ministers from the Government of Northern Territory, Alice Springs Mayor Her Worship Fran Kilgariff and Ambassador of Brazil His Excellency Frederico Araujo.

Between 1860 and 1930, Afghan cameleers were heavily involved in major exploration, transportation and communication projects in Australia. In May 2004, Ambassador Saikal traveled from Darwin to Adelaide, on board The Ghan train, and on behalf of the Government and people of Afghanistan paid official tribute to the role of the early Afghans in the development of the Australian continent.

Ambassador Saikal thanked Sydney's Skylink Travel for its generous sponsorship of the Afghanistan Cup, Voyages' kind invitation to the race and Alice Springs Lions Camel Cup Inc. for arranging the special event for the Afghanistan Cup.