This visit is intended to facilitate the successful execution of the event.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received the event’s sponsors at the State House in Marina on Monday.
The delegation was headed by Marlene Ngoyi Mvidia, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), which operates under Afrexim Bank.
Didier Drogba, the former Ivory Coast striker and European football champion, who is a prominent supporter of E1 racing in Africa, was also part of the sponsor team, which included E1 Racing Chairman Alejandro Agag and Strategic Adviser Pablo Agag.
The E1 World Championship aims to introduce an exhilarating water sport to Africa, creating opportunities for young, talented Africans, especially those passionate about water sports.
Notable figures in the global sports arena, such as NBA star LeBron James and tennis icon Rafael Nadal, have shown interest in the tournament.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Lagos’ selection as the host city presents “another unique opportunity” to highlight the city’s commitment to sustainable development. He assured the organizers that the State is fully equipped to host the world race boat championship.
“Our governing vision is not just about making Lagos a global city; we are building Lagos as an African model city where global corporations can thrive and leverage the available opportunities. We are excited about the E1 Racing Team’s initiative and believe it represents not just their success, but the glory of the African dream,” said Sanwo-Olu.
“We see this as a unique opportunity to tell the Lagos story in a sustainable way. We are fully prepared and transaction-ready for the tournament. I want to assure athletes and visitors that we have the manpower and infrastructure to handle all the opportunities this project brings,” he added.
The Governor commended Drogba as the perfect ambassador for the tournament, acknowledging his prominence not just in football but also in fostering talent across Africa.
"Drogba serves as a source of inspiration and a symbol whose name carries significant weight," Sanwo-Olu stated, expressing gratitude to Afrexim Bank and E1 Racing for their visionary efforts.
Drogba shared his thoughts on the introduction of electric boat racing in Africa, noting that the concept was initially explored in Riyadh during a meeting with the E1 Racing Team. He highlighted his keen interest in the sport's sustainability, underscoring Africa's readiness for transformative change through this initiative.
“When we discussed the new sport, we agreed that Africa should not be left out. We want to be part of it and see how it works. We are particularly interested in the sustainability aspect, as I know our continent is looking forward to seeing the changes we need,” Drogba said.
“As a public figure in Africa, I believe I can use my influence to make the sport impactful. Whether it’s for sustainability or inspiration in other sports, we will use our position to inspire both young athletes and adults to believe that it’s possible,” he continued.
“Africa has the best athletes in the world, and I believe Lagos is ready to compete in this sport. We’re here to seek the support of the Government because we need to start strong. We want to send a message to the world that the competition is here in Lagos, and we can replicate it anywhere,” Drogba concluded.