Ulaanbaatar
Deputy Prime Minister to seek ban on horse races until Naadam
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Government could be considering a ban on horse race until Naadam after a spring horse race sparked children’s rights controversy.
The usual criticism of the violation of the rights of child jockeys gained momentum once again due to organizational failures at the annual Dunjingarav race, held on March 18 in Bayantal soum of Gobisumber aimag.
Serious issues such as participation of underage jockeys in the race, low visibility due to heavy dust, lateness of the races and lack of order were reported to have been observed during the race, resulting in a number of injuries sustained by the jockeys, followed by public outrage.
The corresponding regulatory document on horse race sets the minimum age of child jockeys at 12, however, horse trainers reportedly put 11-year-olds on their horses at the last minute. Moreover, the last race of the day concluded after dark, which further increased the risk of jockey injuries, as reported. The race was watched by more than 40 thousand people, challenging over 800 horse trainers, sources say.
According to the Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers, which held a press conference on March 20 to address the social media discussion of the controversy, 16 jockeys fell off during the race, 3 of whom were hospitalized. Among them is an 11-year-old.
“The children are in a good state and can be discharged from the hospital. The Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers is responsible for the injuries the child jockeys sustained during the Dunjingarav race,” stated Secretary-General P.Sergelen.
After Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh called for attention on the matter, Deputy Prime Minister U.Enkhtuvshin held a meeting on March 20 with the sides involved in the organization of the race. The meeting was attended by B.Khaliun, Deputy Head of the Family, Youth and Child Development Agency, S.Baatarjaw, Director of the National Police Agency and D.Dagvadorj, Vice President of the Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers.
After listening to the accounts of the sides, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “The child jockeys’ safety is what’s most imperative. It is clear that the regional race violated pertinent cabinet resolution and endangered children. I intend to work towards banning all horse races before the national Naadam festival, and furthermore proposing a motion to prohibit any horse race in winter and spring seasons.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that the faulty individuals will be held responsible. As head of the national Naadam committee, he emphasized an importance of engagement of children’s rights organizations in holding the festival.
The usual criticism of the violation of the rights of child jockeys gained momentum once again due to organizational failures at the annual Dunjingarav race, held on March 18 in Bayantal soum of Gobisumber aimag.
Serious issues such as participation of underage jockeys in the race, low visibility due to heavy dust, lateness of the races and lack of order were reported to have been observed during the race, resulting in a number of injuries sustained by the jockeys, followed by public outrage.
The corresponding regulatory document on horse race sets the minimum age of child jockeys at 12, however, horse trainers reportedly put 11-year-olds on their horses at the last minute. Moreover, the last race of the day concluded after dark, which further increased the risk of jockey injuries, as reported. The race was watched by more than 40 thousand people, challenging over 800 horse trainers, sources say.
According to the Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers, which held a press conference on March 20 to address the social media discussion of the controversy, 16 jockeys fell off during the race, 3 of whom were hospitalized. Among them is an 11-year-old.
“The children are in a good state and can be discharged from the hospital. The Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers is responsible for the injuries the child jockeys sustained during the Dunjingarav race,” stated Secretary-General P.Sergelen.
After Prime Minister U.Khurelsukh called for attention on the matter, Deputy Prime Minister U.Enkhtuvshin held a meeting on March 20 with the sides involved in the organization of the race. The meeting was attended by B.Khaliun, Deputy Head of the Family, Youth and Child Development Agency, S.Baatarjaw, Director of the National Police Agency and D.Dagvadorj, Vice President of the Federation of Mongolian Horse Training Sport and Trainers.
After listening to the accounts of the sides, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “The child jockeys’ safety is what’s most imperative. It is clear that the regional race violated pertinent cabinet resolution and endangered children. I intend to work towards banning all horse races before the national Naadam festival, and furthermore proposing a motion to prohibit any horse race in winter and spring seasons.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that the faulty individuals will be held responsible. As head of the national Naadam committee, he emphasized an importance of engagement of children’s rights organizations in holding the festival.
Kh.Aminaa
