PUMA Collaborates with AFI as Official Kit Partner

PUMA India, a prominent sports brand, has become the official kit sponsor of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), marking a significant milestone for the country's athletes. In a groundbreaking multi-year agreement, PUMA will provide exclusive, top-quality performance kits, speed suits, and travel gear to every athlete affiliated with AFI and representing India in track & field, jumps, throws, cross-country running, and marathons, across domestic and international competitions.

PUMA will provide more than 400 athletes with a competitive advantage, ensuring that every millisecond is fully optimized. This marks the first occasion where Indian athletes will have access to world-class speed suits, consistent with those provided by PUMA to athletes worldwide. These speed suits are engineered to enhance freedom of movement, aerodynamics, and speed, empowering athletes to concentrate solely on their performance and enhance efficiency.

“More than 75 years ago, PUMA’s founder Rudolf Dassler had the vision to develop products for athletes that would give them the speed, the agility and the nimbleness of a puma. We are excited that we can now bring this spirit to the Athletics Federation of India. India is one of the most dynamic markets and we hope that by achieving success with the Athletics Federation of India, we can together inspire the next generation of athletes,” commented Arne Freundt, CEO, PUMA SE. 

As a renowned global sports brand, PUMA has invested in 17 federations, including the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, Cuban Athletics Federation, Brazilian Athletics Confederation, Athletics New Zealand, and Portuguese Athletics Federation, among others. PUMA's collaboration with AFI further underscores the brand's dedication to enhancing the sports culture in India. It serves as a catalyst for fostering the development, growth, and success of both current and future generations of athletes in the country.

“At PUMA, we strongly believe in serving the athletes and helping them realise their full potential with our world class performance products. We are thrilled to partner with the Athletics Federation of India and help our athletes perform at the highest levels in various sporting disciplines across the globe. Together with Athletics Federation of India, we will accelerate this transformative journey in Indian athletics,” said Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director, PUMA India. 

“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 Adille Sumariwalla, President, Athletics Federation of India. 

Subha Venkatesan, 4x400 m relay runner and Paris 2024 qualified, also commented on the collaboration, “I am extremely happy to see the collective commitment of Athletics Federation of India and PUMA towards nurturing the next generation of sporting talent and fostering 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.” 

“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,” commented javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra. 

Over time, PUMA has established partnerships with various sports teams, including global football powerhouses like Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Mumbai City FC, and Bengaluru FC, along with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises such as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals.