In a surprising move beyond the football pitch, international midfielder Paul Pogba has announced a significant investment into a professional camel racing team based in Saudi Arabia. The athlete has joined the ownership group of Al Haboob, described as the world’s first professional team in the sport, with ambitions to expand its international profile.
The venture represents a new chapter for Pogba, who expressed a desire to bring a fresh perspective to the camel racing industry. “I’ve always been drawn to unique challenges and different ways of thinking, both in my career and in my personal pursuits,” he stated. “This is an exciting opportunity to be part of something growing on a global scale.”
Camel racing, a traditional and high-stakes sport in the Gulf region, involves substantial financial investment. Top-tier racing camels can command prices in the millions, with major competitions offering prize pools worth tens of millions. Pogba has even set a personal goal within this new arena: to one day own the world’s most valuable racing camel, calling the idea a “meaningful and thrilling” prospect.
The Al Haboob team, co-founded by entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, positions itself as a modern ambassador for the sport. Modir emphasized that the team’s mission extends beyond winning races. “We embody a broader national ambition for excellence across all sectors,” he explained. “Our goal is to be leaders, setting new standards in how this sport is perceived and operated internationally.”
The sport itself has evolved in recent years. Historically scrutinized for practices involving child jockeys and animal welfare, contemporary camel racing now typically employs robotic jockeys equipped with modern technology. Al Haboob’s leadership asserts their operations adhere to elite standards of animal care, with training and nutrition programs managed with the precision of top-tier athletic preparation.
For Pogba, the investment stems from a genuine interest cultivated away from football. He revealed spending personal time studying races and strategies through online videos. “What resonates with me is the sheer dedication required—the heart and the teamwork,” he commented. “The core spirit of competition is universal.”
The announcement marks a notable crossover as a prominent European football figure steps into a sport deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culture, signaling ambitions to attract a new, worldwide audience.