Bengaluru: Sports brand PUMA India has partnered with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the Official Footwear Partner for the Indian contingent to the Paris Olympics and launched a grand outdoor campaign to honor the game’s champions.
As part of a partnership, 100+ Indian athletes will receive specialized gear for the 2024 Summer Olympics, including footwear, bags, yoga mats, and more. Additionally, 45 of these athletes will compete for PUMA at the Paris Olympics, making it the biggest brand representation in India this year.
Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, shared his perspective on this collaboration and campaign launch, stating, “PUMA is dedicated to empowering athletes to surpass their limits and achieve their full potential. Through our partnership with the Indian Olympic Association, we will provide athletes with best in-class footwear and sports accessories, aiming to support their pursuit of excellence at the Paris Olympics. Additionally, we aim to bring to the fore and recognize the milestones achieved by athletes of our country through this campaign. I hope our efforts to celebrate our champions will not only inspire others to give their best but also encourage many young and aspiring athletes to take up Olympic sports in India.”
PUMA’s partnership with the IOA in India affirms its dedication to sports culture while also supporting the growth of athletes, both present and future.
Dr PTUsha, President of the Indian Olympic Association and renowned former track-and-field athlete said, “Our partnership with PUMA is pivotal in our mission to elevate the capabilities of our athletes. Equipped with PUMA’s top-quality shoes and accessories, our athletes will be primed to compete at the highest level. The IOA is deeply committed to enhancing India’s medal prospects at the Paris Olympics, and such collaborations are a crucial step towards achieving that goal.”
PUMA India’s campaign, “See the Game Like We Do”, showcases PV Sindhu’s powerful smash, PR Sreejesh’s quick ball-stopping skill and Kishore Jena’s skyscraper-level throw across Mumbai. The campaign highlights the superhuman feats and dedication of our Indian athletes, arousing national pride as they head to Paris for glory.
- PV Sindhu’s speed of a smash at 349 kmph is 3x the speed of Mumbai’s iconic Central Lineroute. Her exemplary achievement is visualized across the coaches with imagery splashed across coaches of the local train on this route, starting today.
- Kishore Jena’s best throw at 87.54meters, equivalent to the height of a skyscraper, is commemorated by his towering image on the façade of a similar sized structure in Prabhadevi, Mumbai.
- Hockey champ PR Sreejesh lightning-fast reflexes and the ability to stop the fastest balls with ease is about 0.15 seconds, which is quicker than a blink. This powerful parallel is illustrated on a digital billboard on the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) serving the cities of Mumbai and Thane.
PUMA draws parallels between record-breaking achievements and daily experiences to inspire the country to recognize Indian Olympic athletes’ pursuit of excellence and accomplishments.
Shreya Sachdev, Associate Director &Head of Marketing, PUMA India said, “PUMA is proud to be at the forefront when it comes to empowering Indian athletes and celebrating their achievements. This campaign honoursthe hard work and dedication of our champion players as we stand united in support of them while they take on the world stage. Together, let’s celebrate their journey to success.”
Kishore Jena, javelin champ and PUMA ambassador, said, “Support from the fans always plays a critical role for athletes in big tournaments, and it’s heartening to see a global brand like PUMA come forward with this amazing campaign to unite the whole nation, encouraging Indian athletes as we chase Olympic glory. I’m confident that high-quality footwear and sports accessories will help us to produce our best show in Paris, leaving no stone unturned.”
PUMA athletes like Kishore Jena, Sift Kaur Samra, and Anush Agarwalla will use top-tier gear that propelled Olympic legends Usain Bolt, Merlene Ottey, Shericka Jackson, Heike Drechsler, and more.
Sift Kaur Samra, professional sport shooter and Paris qualified, said,“I understand that sports demand both physical and mental strength, especially at events like the Olympics where focus is crucial. Having world-class products gives confidence and positively influences performances. PUMA has been trusted by champion athletes worldwide, and I’m thrilled that they’re supporting Indian athletes’ Paris 2024 dream.”
PUMA collaborates with top global and Indian sports teams like Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC, and Bengaluru FC, and IPL franchises Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. Their brand ambassadors include Virat Kohli, Usain Bolt, Neymar Jr, MC Mary Kom, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Mohammed Shami.
