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Sports brand PUMA India is the official equipment sponsor of the premier sports organization, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), ushering in a new era of high performance for the country’s athletes. In a historic multi-year agreement, PUMA will now exclusively provide high-quality performance kits, speed suits and travel equipment to every athlete under AFI and representing India in athletics, jumps, throws, running cross-country and marathons at national and international levels. international tournaments.
In the world of sports, the difference between victory and defeat can be minute, often determined in fractions of a second. By providing cutting-edge products including apparel, footwear and accessories, PUMA will provide more than 400 athletes with a competitive edge, ensuring that every millisecond is maximized to the fullest. This is also the first time that Indian athletes will have access to world-class speed suits that PUMA provides to other athletes around the world. PUMA speed suits are designed to promote freedom of movement, aerodynamics and faster speed, helping athletes focus solely on their performance and increase their efficiency.
As a global sports brand, PUMA is invested in 17 federations such as the Jamaica Athletics Association, the Cuban Athletics Federation, the Brazilian Athletics Confederation, Athletics New Zealand and the Portuguese Athletics Federation, to n to name just a few. PUMA’s partnership with AFI is expected to intensify the sports brand’s commitment to amplifying sports culture in India and serve as a catalyst for the development, growth and success of the country’s next generation of accomplished athletes.
Commenting on the historic agreement, Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA SE, said: “More than 75 years ago, PUMA founder Rudolf Dassler had a vision to develop products for athletes that would give them speed, the agility and nimbleness of a puma. . We are delighted to now be able to bring this spirit to the Athletics Federation of India. India is one of the fastest growing markets and we hope that by achieving success with the Athletics Federation of India, we can together inspire the next generation of athletes.
Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India, said, “At PUMA, we strongly believe in serving athletes and helping them realize their full potential through our world-class performance products. We are delighted to partner with the Athletics Federation of India and help our athletes perform at the highest level in various sporting disciplines across the world. Together with the Athletics Federation of India, we will accelerate this transformative journey in Indian athletics.
Established in 1946, the AFI is the apex body for the management and management of athletics in India and is affiliated to the World Athletics, the Asian Athletics Association and the Indian Olympic Association. This partnership with PUMA marks their inaugural alliance with a global sporting power and is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of Indian athletics teams in various disciplines during international competitions.
“Our association with PUMA represents an important milestone for Indian athletes. Through their high-quality equipment, we not only improve the performance of athletes, but also create a culture of excellence within the country’s sports community. We are confident that this partnership will take Indian athletics to new heights on the global stage,” said Adille Sumariwalla, President, Athletics Federation of India.
Along with this, several international icons such as Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw), Kishore Kumar Jena (javelin throw), Parul Chaudhary (steeplechase), Subha Venkatesan (4x400m relay), Murali Sreeshankar (long jump), Jyothi Yarraji (hurdles), Priyanka Goswami (running) and Jeswin Aldrin (long jump) will wear PUMA gear during sporting events. Of course, the kits under this partnership do not include the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Commenting on the partnership, javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra said: “As an athlete who has been training for 12 years, I know the importance of high-quality equipment for high-level practice. Through the Athletics Federation of India’s association with global sports brand PUMA, Indian athletes of all levels will now have access to training equipment of international excellence, helping us express the best of our game from NOW. This partnership heralds the bright future of Indian sports.
Kishore Kumar Jena, Asian Games silver medalist, added, “PUMA and Athletics Federation of India coming together to invest in athletes is an important step for the Indian sports scene. I am extremely excited to see how this partnership will transform our play in tournaments around the world and help us turn our dreams into reality.
Subha Venkatesan, 4x400m relay runner and Paris 2024 qualifier, commented: “I am extremely pleased to see the collective commitment of the Athletics Federation of India and PUMA to nurture the next generation of sporting talent and foster a culture of success in the country. I am confident that this partnership will bring out the best in me and help me achieve my goals this year.
Over the years, PUMA has partnered with various sports teams, including global and Indian football giants such as Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC, as well as with IPL teams Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. . The brand also has a roster of brand ambassadors including batting icon Virat Kohli, sprint champion Usain Bolt, football star Neymar Jr, famous boxer MC Mary Kom and cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Mohammed Shami.
