Drogba, Kohli, LeBron, Nadal – why big names are investing in powerboat racing

What might be the best-known sporting WhatsApp group in the world is led by Didier Drogba.

The former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker owns a team in E1 Series, the first all-electric international powerboat racing competition, along with international stars like Will Smith, LeBron James, Virat Kohli, Rafael Nadal, and LeBron James.

E1 is about to take its first trip to Africa, having first taken to the waves last year, and Lagos’ lagoon will host the nine teams over the weekend of October 4 and 5.

Drogba told BBC Sport Africa, “Our main goal was always to bring the race to Africa” when we made the decision to travel with E1.

We want people to learn about our history and culture. For us, Lagos is a good choice because it’s a vibrant city.

The largest city in Nigeria, according to Drogba’s partner Gabrielle Lemaire, who is also a co-investor in their team.

The Didier Drogba Foundation’s vice president and entrepreneur said, “The people are very young and it’s an opportunity for us to fight for sustainability.”

E1 claims to “regenerate coastal waters through innovative clean technologies” while claiming to be “pioneering a sustainable future in marine sports on its website.”

E1 has so far visited Venice, Monaco, Dubrovnik, Doha, and Lake Como in Italy, with Miami set to complete the series this year.

Additionally, it aims to promote gender equality by having a male and a female pilot on each team.

Lemaire remarked, “It is really powerful as a symbol to show that both men and women can play sports.”

We want to encourage young women to understand how crucial it is today.

Team Drogba’s lineup exemplifies the diversity of motorsport backgrounds represented by the competitors.

Oban Duncan, a teen-british powerboat champion, and Micah Wilkinson, a bronze-sailing competitor for New Zealand at the Olympic Games last year, are collaborating.

Duncan, the youngest pilot in E1, claims to have developed a close relationship with the 19-year-old.

Oban has a lot of talent, but she lacks confidence, he claimed.

We put our trust in you, we are behind you, and you are a superstar because of your high level of vigor and enthusiasm.

She really embodies the tenets I used in my career: “give everything, do your best,” and I’m really happy with her.

Drogba and Lemaire are already anticipating the future, hoping that the upcoming race in Lagos will inspire African talent despite Duncan’s young age.

“This is the goal,” Drogba said, “to be able to have African people interested in the sport, in sustainability, racing, and in discovering new cultures.”

“I believe that this is an excellent opportunity for young people who want to succeed and join the E1 team.”

The two-time African Footballer of the Year has so far decided against a career in coaching despite a glittering career that saw Drogba win four Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea.

The 47-year-old claims that his new position now incorporates the leadership traits of his former coaches and team members.

I learned a lot from having a diversity of managers and knowledge.

“Even players like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Petr Cech, who showed outstanding leadership.

As a leader, I make an effort to get the most out of them while trying to reproduce it, but in my own way.

A smiling Drogba claims that the battle in E1 is fierce on the water, but it’s just as fierce there.

He laughed as he discussed his rivalry with the other owners and said, “I decided not to bring too much of my competitiveness, because I will destroy them like I destroyed all the strikers I was in competition with.”

On this WhatsApp group, these guys are incredibly nasty.

Rafa Nadal was a nice guy, always gentle and polite, I thought. However, I’ve read what he said a few times and find it unsatisfying, so I’ll have to adjust.”

The rivalry between the stars is unquestionably one of E1’s biggest draws, with DJ Steve Aoki and Puerto Rican singer Marc Anthony, both well-known names in North America and other countries.

In the following five years, the competition will be valued at $ 500 million ($675 million).

According to Drogba, “it can only grow with the energy that all the owners are putting in.”

“I believe it was me, Rafa, Marc, and Steve when we first started,” he said.

Tom Brady, Will Smith, and LeBron James are all on the list right now. This is very important, so ideally we will have a female owner along.

Abidjan, which has a lagoon that resembles Lagos’ waterways, is next on Drogba’s list, along with a race in Ivory Coast.

Although there are technical requirements to be met in order to organize the race, he said, “I believe we have everything [Abidjan] to host,” he continued.