Key facts
- Footballer Paul Pogba is a minority shareholder in the Saudi Arabian camel racing club Al Haboob.
- Al Haboob's founders, Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, aim to grow camel racing into a global business.
- The club plans to host a race in Europe within the next 14 months.
- Sponsorship from major companies like Shell and Gulf banks has increased due to Pogba's involvement.
- The club is seeking to attract further investment, potentially from figures like Shaquille O'Neal.
Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United midfielder, has invested in Al Haboob, a camel racing club based in Saudi Arabia. The club, co-founded by Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, aims to transform the traditional sport into a global business venture. Pogba holds a minority stake and is involved in growing the club's profile and operations.
Camel racing, with roots stretching back over a thousand years, is a prominent sport in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, often dominated by royal families and aristocrats. Races can feature large numbers of entries and offer substantial prize money. Al Haboob's business model focuses on franchise growth and leveraging its founders' presence on a popular Netflix show, 'Camel Quest', to attract a wider audience.
Almaeena and Modir believe Pogba's involvement, which extends beyond marketing to a shareholder role, is key to bridging the gap between sport and global icons. They suggest his platform can help expand the sport's reach, potentially exposing it to his entire football fan base. The club has already secured sponsorships from major entities like oil giant Shell and national Gulf banks, partly due to the increased profile generated by Pogba.
The sport has modernized significantly, notably by replacing child jockeys with robot alternatives in the early 2000s, addressing past concerns about exploitation. The founders envision expanding Al Haboob's reach beyond the Middle East, with plans to host a race in Europe within the next 14 months. However, they acknowledge potential obstacles such as European attitudes towards camels and import regulations.
Al Haboob is also looking to attract further high-profile sporting investors, with a stated wish to bring Shaquille O'Neal on board. The founders see a trend of niche sports gaining popularity and believe camel racing, with its deep cultural roots and display of wealth, has the potential for significant international growth, with Pogba seen as a crucial asset in this expansion.