Renowned cricketer Virat Kohli has taken a groundbreaking step into the world of motorsports, unveiling the Blue Rising Team for the inaugural season of the UIM E1 World Championship. Co-owning the team alongside Adi K Mishra, CEO of League Sports Co. (LSC), Kohli’s entry into the electric boat racing arena promises exciting competition and a strong message about sustainability.
Virat Kohli’s take on this new venture
Kohli, a global cricket sensation with a staggering Instagram following of 260 million, expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture: “I want to inspire people to have a competitive spirit and raise awareness about sustainability issues, something I am becoming more passionate about as we build a family. I can’t wait to cheer for our male and female pilots racing for our team. We’re going electric, we’re flying over the water, and we’re going to try to win it for The Blue Rising.”
The UIM E1 World Championship, sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), is pioneering an all-electric race boat competition that focuses on preserving urban waters and coastal areas. With up to 10 teams and 20 mixed-gender pilots, this championship will bring thrilling races to iconic cities globally, starting in February 2024.
Partnering with Adi K Mishra, Kohli’s involvement in the championship signifies a dedication to sustainability and gender inclusion. His presence is anticipated to attract new fans, amplifying the championship’s impact on both sports and purpose.
Adi K Mishra’s say on partnering up with Virat Kohli
Adi K Mishra, Founder and CEO of LSC, said: “We are excited to partner with one of the best athletes of our generation and arguably one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket. It has also been a pleasure to work alongside Bunty Sajdeh, CEO of Cornerstone Sport & Entertainment who has played a key role and the firm has already brought insightful conversations with brands that share our combined values with the UIM E1 World Championship of sustainability and gender inclusion. We are keen to explore partnerships with the UIM E1 World Championship and some of the other team owners with the World Bowling League in order to elevate both sports.”
Rodi Basso, Co-Founder & CEO of UIM E1 World Championship, welcomed the Blue Rising Team, anticipating their positive energy, competitive spirit, and creativity. Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder & Chairman of UIM E1 World Championship, praised Kohli’s commitment to sportsmanship and sustainability, highlighting the team’s potential to inspire future generations. With Kohli at the helm, The Blue Rising Team is set to make waves in the electrifying world of boat racing.
Rodi Basso, Co-Founder & CEO of UIM E1 World Championship, said: “The start line for the first season of the UIM E1 World Championship is filling up fast, and our seventh team is a big one for us! Virat Kohli’s passion for sustainability, combined with Adi’s ability to drive success, will make The Blue Rising Team a force to be reckoned with on the water.
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I am confident they will bring positive energy, fierce competitiveness, and natural creativity to our championship. And there’s no doubt their involvement will attract millions of new fans and help us deliver an even bigger impact through sport and purpose. Welcome The Blue Rising Team! We’re excited to have you with us on this incredible journey.”
Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder & Chairman of UIM E1 World Championship, said: “Our inaugural season is getting closer and I’m thrilled to announce yet another fantastic team joining us on our journey, one who has both sport and sustainability at the heart of their team. Spearheaded by cricket superstar, Virat Kohli, The Blue Rising Team says it all in their name! No doubt on the water, their sportsmanship will allow their team to thrive and guide their team to success.
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Off the water, their strength in championing sport with purpose is something we want to elevate and by joining forces together especially with our diverse fan base, I believe we can inspire and educate future generations. The race is on and I cannot wait for the first race of the UIM E1 World Championship in Jeddah next year.”
The much-awaited inaugural season of the UIM E1 World Championship is set to commence in February 2024. In the upcoming months, organizers are actively working to expedite preparations for the opening season, with additional teams and race locations expected to be revealed shortly.