Indian esports organisation Orangutan Esports has announced sports brand Puma India as its official kit partner. Under the terms of the association, Orangutan’s athletes will wear the official jersey and other merchandise created exclusively by the sports brand.
This association comes as a strategic collaboration between the two brands to propel esports to greater heights, as well as elevate the experience of Orangutan’s athletes and fans with official merchandise, while representing Puma in the growing esports community of India.
Commenting on the occasion, Orangutan Esports co-founder Jai Shah said, “Esports in India is gaining popularity but lacked a major breakthrough. This led to the strategic plan to collaborate with a premium sports brand as our kit partner. Our association with Puma India is a step in the right direction. Through this partnership, we aim to bring about a revolution in esports culture in the country where official merchandise and esports teams go hand-in-hand. Together, Orangutan and Puma will work closely this year to achieve scale and success in the esports industry.”
Orangutan Esports founder and CEO Yash Bhanushali said, “I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Puma India as our official kit partner, marking a major breakthrough for Indian esports. This collaboration will transform the industry, inspiring the next generation and fostering a community of excellence. With Puma’s support, our players will have top-quality gear, empowering them to compete globally with unmatched confidence. I am immensely grateful to Puma India for believing in our vision and commitment to the growth of esports. Together, we will redefine the esports landscape and make history”
Puma India marketing head Shreya Sachdev said, “We are happy to partner with Orangutan Esports and continue our investments in the rapidly expanding space of esports in India. Competitive esports has seen massive growth in popularity, especially during the pandemic, and has emerged as the key avenue of engagement for youngsters in the country. As a brand, Puma has always invested in the diverse pillars of youth culture such as sports, fitness, art, cinema and music. Through this association with Orangutan, we look forward to developing the esports market in India and engaging with gamers across the country.”
To launch this partnership, Orangutan released a digital film on social media with the hashtag #AlsoAnAthlete. Through this campaign, the two brands aim to spread the word that esports athletes deserve the same recognition as traditional athletes. They have the same dedication and follow their dreams with the same passion as any sporting professional, reflecting the relevance of the concept of #AlsoAnAthlete in the country’s sporting ecosystem.