JEDDAH: French football icon and AS Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba signed on Wednesday a historic partnership with the world’s first professional camel racing team, Saudi-based Al Haboob, becoming their ambassador and shareholder.
Pogba’s involvement with Al Haboob, which was cofounded by entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir and competes across the Gulf Cooperation Council, brings unprecedented international attention to a sport long thriving under the regional spotlight.
The Frenchman said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining forces with Al Haboob. From the moment I spoke with Omar and Safwan, I felt their passion, their vision, and their genuine love for this sport.
“They are forward-thinking entrepreneurs who want to build something meaningful, and that energy is contagious — it’s something I picked up on from our very first meeting.
“Their ambition to elevate camel racing onto a global stage is something I truly connect with,” said Pogba, who added that joining Al Haboob felt like being invited into a new family, and saying yes was an easy decision.
Pogba is the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA Nations League champion, four-time Serie A champion with Juventus, and Europa League winner with Manchester United.
“I look for unique, exciting opportunities that challenge me and allow me to grow. Al Haboob represents exactly that: something fresh, something meaningful, and something exciting while staying true to who I am,” said Pogba.
Founded in Saudi Arabia, Al Haboob combines centuries-old heritage with elite performance, advanced veterinary care, and cinematic storytelling.
Almaeena and Modir, whose journey into the sport began in 2021 with the launch of RedSea Camel Co., also co-created and starred in the Netflix series “Camel Quest,” which highlighted camel culture across Saudi Arabia and followed their ambition to compete in major festivals.
Their long-term vision is to establish the world’s first professional Camel Racing League, elevating the sport to international standards while honoring its rich history.
“Paul’s involvement is transformational. This partnership is about more than racing; it is about sharing a heritage that deserves global recognition,” said Almaeena, an entrepreneur, actor, creative producer and endurance racing champion who represented Saudi Arabia in Compiegne, France, back in 2000.
Meanwhile, Modir, an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses in the camel sector, commented: “Al Haboob was never just a sporting idea; it is the embodiment of a national energy that believes the impossible can be achieved. This vision, this boldness, and this drive to break into new global frontiers are all inspired by the powerful leadership of our visionary guide and architect of our national transformation, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.”
French FIFA World Cup winner Paul Pogba partners with Saudi camel racing team Al Haboob
https://arab.news/nypy3
French FIFA World Cup winner Paul Pogba partners with Saudi camel racing team Al Haboob
- AS Monaco midfielder said joining Al Haboob felt like being invited into a new family, and saying yes was an easy decision
- Pogba: ‘I look for unique, exciting opportunities that challenge me and allow me to grow’
Tennis world number ones Sabalenka, Alcaraz begin Australian Open campaigns
- Carlos Alcaraz, who could complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the tournament, faces Adam Walton
- Aryna Sabalenka takes on Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah as she seeks a third title at Melbourne Park
MELBOURNE: The first round of the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz, who could complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the tournament, faces Adam Walton, while Aryna Sabalenka takes on Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah as she seeks a third title at Melbourne Park.
Top men’s match: Alcaraz v Walton
At 22, Alcaraz could replace Don Budge as the youngest man to achieve the career Grand Slam with victory at the Australian Open. The Spaniard has left no one in any doubt what his main goal is for the 2026 season, saying in November he would rather win a first Melbourne Park crown than retain his French and US Open titles.
His quest to make history will begin with a first-round tie against Australian Walton.
The pair have crossed paths once before, with Alcaraz beating the Australian 6-4 7-6(4) during his title-winning run at the Queen’s Club Championships last year.
Top women’s match: Sabalenka v Rakotomanga Rajaonah
Sabalenka will be bidding to continue her incredible record in hard court Grand Slam tournaments when she begins her campaign against Frenchwoman Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
The Belarusian world number one has reached the final of the last six majors she has played on the surface, winning four of those.
She enters the competition in fine form after retaining her Brisbane International title this month without losing a set, and should have little trouble when she takes on the 118th-ranked Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Venus Williams is back
Venus Williams, a two-times Australian Open singles finalist, returns to the tournament for the first time since 2021 after receiving a wildcard.
The 45-year-old faces Olga Danilovic in the first round, where she is set to become the oldest woman to feature in the Australian Open main draw by surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she bowed out in the first round in 2015.
Williams has endured a poor start to the season, losing to Magda Linette in the first round in Auckland and to Tatjana Maria in her opening match at the Hobart International.
Despite her defeats, she said she was happy with her level.
“I can’t expect perfection right now, but I know I’m playing good tennis. Winning and losing doesn’t know any age. Once you walk on court, you’re there to compete,” Williams said before her defeat in Hobart.
Australian Open order of play on Sunday
Here is the order of play on the main showcourts on the first day of the Australian Open (prefix number denotes seeding):
Rod Laver Arena
- Day session
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus) v 7-Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
3-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v Gabriel Diallo (Canada)
- Night session
1-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) v Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (France)
1-Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) v Adam Walton (Australia)
Margaret Court Arena
- Day session
Maria Sakkari (Greece) v Leolia Jeanjean (France)
18-Francisco Cerundolo (Argentina) v Zhang Zhizhen (China)
- Night session
10-Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) v Jenson Brooksby (US)
Mananchaya Sawangkaew (Thailand) v 28-Emma Raducanu (Britain)
John Cain Arena
- Day session
Arthur Fery (Britain) v 20-Flavio Cobolli (Italy)
- Day session
12-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) v Cristina Bucsa (Spain)
- Night session
29-Frances Tiafoe (US) v Jason Kubler (Australia)
Olga Danilovic (Serbia) v Venus Williams (US)
