PUMA Unveils 2010 African Football Team Kits and Announces Partership With the Algerian Football Federation
By Prne, Gaea News NetworkWednesday, October 7, 2009
HERZOGENAURACH, Germany -
PUMA, the leading sportslifestyle brand and a powerhouse in African football delivered a trifecta news announcement today, paving the way for the Orange African Cup of Nations Angola 2010(TM) (CAN 2010). PUMA has unveiled the 2010 Football Kits for the eleven African teams it sponsors: Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Egypt, Tunisia, Namibia, Morocco, Angola, Senegal and Togo.
PUMA is also proud to announce the signing of Algeria FA. Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes), will be part of the PUMA football portfolio from January 1st 2010. Finally, the sportslifestyle company has been named the Official Fan Shop of the Orange African Cup of Nations Angola 2010.
“In 2010, Africa will be the center of attention with the Orange African Cup of Nations Angola 2010(TM) in January leading up to the World Cup in South Africa. With a powerful portfolio of eleven PUMA-sponsored African national teams, PUMA is already the most visible football brand in the Continent,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, PUMA AG. “We have enjoyed more than a decade of close partnership and collaboration with African football federations. Africa has a great deal to offer the international football community; next year’s major tournaments will provide the perfect stage and PUMA is very proud to be a part of them.”
African Team Kits
PUMA reprieves its role as one of the most innovative football kit suppliers, delivering home and away kits for its 11 African teams, which push the boundaries of technology and design. Making a bold statement, the jerseys are contoured to deliver a snug body fit that accentuates the players’ musculature. Constructed from moisture-wicking Power Mesh, the jerseys feature a proprietary engineered mesh panel across the back, which allows for maximum movement and breathability. A Kinte pattern, inspired by traditional African fabrics, was applied to this back panel. Additionally, a unique brush-stroke effect, mimicking fans’ body paint, creates the decorative stripes on most of the away jerseys and the players’ names and numbers on the back. Official team crests are positioned on the upper right quadrant of the shirt, while select teams showcase the iconic symbol that represents their team country on the left hand side close to the heart.
In addition to supplying the home and away kits for the National Teams, PUMA will also produce licensed replica kits and fan wear, available to consumers as of October 10, 2009 at select wholesale partners.
Algeria FA
With the signing of Algeria FA, PUMA’s African roster swells to 12 top-ranked teams. Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes), now coached by Rabah Saadane, was formed in 1958 and has made two World Cup appearances in 1982 and 1986, and 13 trips to CAN, which they hosted and won in 1990. In October 2008, Les Fennecs catapulted to the top of their group, finishing first to qualify for CAN 2010.
“The association with Algeria underpins PUMA’s commitment to African Football,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, PUMA AG. “Les Fennecs have an impressive history on the pitch and are again poised to be a top contender at CAN 2010. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the PUMA family.”
CAN 2010 Official Fan Shop
PUMA has been named the Official Fan Shop and Fan Supplier of the Orange African
Cup of Nations Angola 2010, which takes place in Angola, 10-31 January 2010. Partnering with CAF/Sportfive, the sportlifestyle company will have exclusive retail and licensing rights to manufacture products that carry the tournament trademark. PUMA also intends to have sales kiosks inside the stadium perimeter at all stadiums during the tournament, allowing fans attending the matches to purchase official merchandise and support their teams in a true football spirit.
For more information visit: www.pumafootballpresskit.com.
PUMA
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com.
Source: PUMA
Sara Gottman, International PR, PUMA, +617-488-2914, sara.gottman at puma.com; Clara Mattioli, International PR, PUMA, +49-9132 81-2961, clara.mattioli at puma.com
Tags: Africa, Germany, Herzogenaurach, PUMA