JOHANNESBURG – South Africa's athletes will henceforth be dressed like Usain Bolt and Athletic South Africa (ASA) will no doubt hope that they perform just like the Jamaican legend.
ASA yesterday announced that they have signed a multi-year partnership with Puma, the famous sports apparel who have kitted out the track superstar as well as his country Jamaica since 2002.
Puma has a long history in track and field. They not only sponsored Jamaica but countries such as Cuba, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Dominican Republic, Norway, Switzerland and Portugal.
Bolt may be their most high profile athlete but they also sponsor some top stars such as world champion long jumper Tajay Gayle, world champion 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm, pole vault star Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, triple Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse, and triple jumper Will Claye.
ASA yesterday announced that they have signed a partnership with Puma. Photo: Athletics South Africa on facebook
Here at home, they kit the likes of Luke Davids, Thando Roto, Henricho Bruintjies, Rikenette Steenkamp, Wenda Nel and Gena Lofstrand.
In terms of the deal, Puma has branding rights, licensing rights and the opportunity to create experiential moments and pop-up retail at ASA Junior and Senior Champs, to bring excitement and energy to these events in a Puma style, while all SA athletes will wear Puma kits at all IAAF events.