400-Plus Indian Athletes To Get World-Class Gear As PUMA Partners With AFI

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Bengaluru, May 16: Sports brand PUMA India has become the official kit sponsor of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), marking a significant development for the country's athletes.

Under this historic multi-year deal, PUMA will exclusively provide high-quality performance kits, speed suits, and travel gear to all AFI athletes representing India in various track and field events, jumps, throws, cross country running, and marathons at domestic and international tournaments.

In the highly competitive world of sports, the difference between victory and defeat can often come down to fractions of a second. PUMA aims to equip over 400 Indian athletes with state-of-the-art apparel, footwear, and accessories to give them a competitive edge.

This partnership will also give Indian athletes access to PUMA's world-class speed suits, which are designed to enhance freedom of movement, aerodynamics, and speed, enabling athletes to focus solely on their performance and increase efficiency.

PUMA's collaboration with the AFI is part of the brand's commitment to promote sports culture in India and support the development, growth, and success of both current and future generations of Indian athletes.

PUMA has already partnered with 17 other federations worldwide, including the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association, Cuban Athletics Federation, Brazilian Athletics Confederation, Athletics New Zealand, and Portuguese Athletics Federation.

Arne Freundt, CEO of PUMA SE, expressed his excitement about the deal, stating that PUMA's founder, Rudolf Dassler, had a vision over 75 years ago to develop products that would give athletes the speed, agility, and nimbleness of a puma.

Freundt believes that this partnership will inspire the next generation of Indian athletes and contribute to the brand's success in the dynamic Indian market.Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, emphasized the brand's commitment to serving athletes and helping them reach their full potential with world-class performance products. Balagopalan expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the AFI and supporting Indian athletes in various sporting disciplines worldwide.

Together with the AFI, PUMA aims to accelerate the transformative journey of Indian athletics.The AFI, established in 1946, serves as the apex body for athletics management in India. It is affiliated with World Athletics, the Asian Athletics Association, and the Indian Olympic Association.

The partnership between the AFI and PUMA is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of India's athletics teams across various disciplines in international competitions.

Adille Sumariwalla, President of the Athletics Federation of India, described the collaboration with PUMA as a significant milestone for Indian athletes. Sumariwalla believes that the high-quality gear provided by PUMA will not only enhance athletes' performance but also create a culture of excellence within the sporting community.

"Our association with PUMA represents a significant milestone for India's athletes. With their high-quality gear, we are not only enhancing the performance of athletes but also creating a culture of excellence within the country's sporting community. We are confident that this partnership will propel Indian athletics to new heights on the global stage," said Sumariwalla.

Notable Indian athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Kumar Jena, Parul Chaudhary, Subha Venkatesan, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji, Priyanka Goswami, and Jeswin Aldrin will be seen sporting PUMA's gear at various sporting events.

However, it's important to note that this partnership does not cover the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. Neeraj Chopra, a javelin throw champion, expressed his excitement about the partnership, emphasising the importance of high-quality gear for high-level practice.

Chopra said, "As an athlete training for 12 years, I know the importance of high-quality gear for high-level practice. With Athletics Federation of India teaming up with global sports brand PUMA, Indian athletes across all levels will now have access to training gear of international excellence, assisting us to express our best in our game now. This partnership signals the bright future of Indian sport."

Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Kumar Jena described the partnership between PUMA and the Athletics Federation of India as a significant milestone for Indian sports. Jena is excited to see how this collaboration will transform the Indian sporting scene and help athletes turn their dreams into reality at tournaments worldwide.

Subha Venkatesan, a 4x400 m relay runner and Paris 2024 qualifier, commended the collective commitment of the Athletics Federation of India and PUMA in nurturing the next generation of sporting talent and fostering a culture of success in the country. Venkatesan is confident that this partnership will bring out the best in her and help her achieve her goals this year.

PUMA has established partnerships with various sports teams globally, including Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals.

The brand also boasts a star-studded lineup of brand ambassadors, featuring Virat Kohli, Usain Bolt, Neymar Jr, MC Mary Kom, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Mohammed Shami. PUMA's collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India reflects its dedication to supporting athletes and promoting sports culture in India.

This partnership is expected to have a transformative impact on Indian athletics, enhancing the performance of athletes and inspiring future generations to excel in the field.