Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United midfielder, has taken a major step in his business career by investing in Saudi Arabian camel racing team Al Haboob. The world's first professional camel racing team competing across the UAE and Gulf, aims to "elevate the sport on to a global stage", according to Pogba.
The ambitious project is seen as a new frontier for camel racing, which has long been associated with Middle Eastern sheikhs and their love of high-stakes competition. With its massive prizes, top camels can sell for millions of pounds, making it a lucrative business.
Pogba's investment in Al Haboob comes after he became one of the world's most expensive players when joining Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 for Β£89m. His motivation for investing in camel racing is not just financial but also because he believes it has a lot to offer beyond its exciting spectacle.
"I've always been someone who wants to try new things and do things differently," Pogba said, describing his business world approach. "That mindset has followed me into my business world too."
He revealed that owning the world's most expensive camel is one of his long-term goals, stating, "Maybe one day we make it happen."
Al Haboob's founders Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir believe their team's aspirations extend far beyond racing. They see themselves as not just a team but also an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, aiming to show the country in a global light. The team uses robot jockeys equipped with GPS tracking, significantly improving animal welfare standards.
"Our camels are prepared with the same care and discipline you would expect from elite athletes," said Modir. "Every aspect of their training, nutrition, and wellbeing is carefully managed."
Pogba has joined forces with Al Haboob to elevate its global presence and redefine the sport. With his passion for sports evident in his dedication, Pogba believes that it's all about heart, sacrifice, and teamwork.
"Sport is sport," he said of camel racing. "It demands heart, sacrifice and teamwork."
The ambitious project is seen as a new frontier for camel racing, which has long been associated with Middle Eastern sheikhs and their love of high-stakes competition. With its massive prizes, top camels can sell for millions of pounds, making it a lucrative business.
Pogba's investment in Al Haboob comes after he became one of the world's most expensive players when joining Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 for Β£89m. His motivation for investing in camel racing is not just financial but also because he believes it has a lot to offer beyond its exciting spectacle.
"I've always been someone who wants to try new things and do things differently," Pogba said, describing his business world approach. "That mindset has followed me into my business world too."
He revealed that owning the world's most expensive camel is one of his long-term goals, stating, "Maybe one day we make it happen."
Al Haboob's founders Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir believe their team's aspirations extend far beyond racing. They see themselves as not just a team but also an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, aiming to show the country in a global light. The team uses robot jockeys equipped with GPS tracking, significantly improving animal welfare standards.
"Our camels are prepared with the same care and discipline you would expect from elite athletes," said Modir. "Every aspect of their training, nutrition, and wellbeing is carefully managed."
Pogba has joined forces with Al Haboob to elevate its global presence and redefine the sport. With his passion for sports evident in his dedication, Pogba believes that it's all about heart, sacrifice, and teamwork.
"Sport is sport," he said of camel racing. "It demands heart, sacrifice and teamwork."