Didier Drogba, the legendary Ivorian football superstar, has made his own leap into the thrilling world of powerboat racing. He’s joining forces with other global icons like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Virat Kohli and Rafael Nadal. Drogba’s latest football business is Team Drogba Global Africa. This team currently races in the E1 Series, the top all-electric international powerboat racing series. He wants to use this quirky new sport to gain a foothold across Africa and specifically seize the opportunity to foster a movement among youth, particularly young women.
As recently as July, Drogba was on the ground meeting with other investors. On hand was Prince Albert II of Monaco, who reaffirmed the burgeoning support behind the E1 Series. From the perspective of the Race to Zero Coalition, this meeting showcased the collective ambition of these high-profile figures who all envision a sustainable future for racing.
The E1 Series features dynamic, diverse, mixed-gender teams. Among Drogba’s crew are 19-year-old British powerboat racer Oban Duncan and New Zealand Olympic bronze medalist Micah Wilkinson. Drogba has created a beautiful bond with Duncan. He believes that Duncan has the talent to not only be successful in the sport, but flourish.
His new partnership with Gabrielle Lemaire makes his commitment to Team Drogba Global Africa even stronger! His dreams are bigger than racing though, he wants to promote the sport within young Africans. Drogba imagines an even rosier future for powerboat racing on the continent. He imagines cities such as Lagos, Nigeria, to be ideal hosts because of their energy and capabilities in forming passionate audiences.
I said ‘We put our trust in you, we are behind you, and you’re a superstar because you race with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm’ Drogba stated about his support for Duncan. To that end, he understands that creating confidence in youth athletes and embracing diversity and inclusion in sports is paramount.
Drogba is a very hands-on player in the E1 Series. He’s looking to use the power of sports to promote sustainability and cultural exchange on a larger scale. He firmly believes that “this is the goal, to be able to have African people interested in the sport, interested in sustainability, in racing, in discovering new cultures.”
Beyond Drogba’s commitment to empower the next generation of athletes, Drogba places heavy importance on teamwork and collaboration. He appreciates the deep expertise that his fellow members bring to their super-secret WhatsApp group. This class features titans like Brady and Nadal, further raising the bar and enhancing the prestige. “These guys are really nasty on this WhatsApp group,” Drogba remarked humorously, highlighting the competitive spirit that drives them all.
Drogba’s new endeavor in powerboat racing is just one way he is looking to use his celebrity for a larger goal. He aims to create pathways for African representation within the sport while advocating for electric racing as a sustainable endeavor.
“Oban is full of talent but her confidence was a bit low,” he noted, underscoring his role as both a mentor and supporter. By featuring female pilots such as Duncan, Red Bull shows their dedication to breaking the mold of gender expectations within athletics.
Reflecting on his leadership style, Drogba stated, “I try to be like a sponge and take the best out of them, as a leader trying to reproduce it, but in my own way.” This philosophy drives his approach to team chemistry and mentorship as the Director of Team Drogba Global Africa.
While the E1 Series has a lot of room to grow, Drogba is extremely positive about its future. “It can only grow with the energy that all the owners are putting in,” he asserted. He’s put together a committed team that shares an aggressive vision. Together, they are intent on leaving an indelible imprint on the sport across Africa.
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