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Puma India strikes multi-year partnership with NEB Sports for marquee city marathons
MUMBAI: When the starting gun goes off this August, thousands of runners in Mumbai and Bengaluru will do more than just race—they’ll wear a movement. Puma India has signed a multi-year deal with NEB Sports to become the official sportswear partner for the Mumbai Half Marathon and the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon, two of the country’s most celebrated road races.
The eight edition of the Mumbai Half Marathon is set for 17 August 2025, while the 12 Wipro Bengaluru Marathon will be held on 21 September. Puma’s partnership includes 360-degree support: training runs, race-day performance gear, and post-race assistance. The tie-up is part of the brand’s larger ambition to fuel India’s transition from casual jogging to serious distance running.
“The sport of Running is transforming India—shaping lifestyles, building communities, and redefining competition. Our partnership with NEB marks Puma’s deeper commitment to fuel this momentum. India has an extremely vibrant community of close to three million registered runners and double-digit growth in marquee events like the Mumbai and Wipro Marathons. We think it is a fantastic opportunity to empower them to chase their goals and go the distance. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to push and elevate the evolution of running in the country”, said Puma India MD Karthik Balagopalan.
The company’s running credentials are backed by performance data. Since October 2024, over 50 per cent of elite podium finishers in five top Indian races wore Puma’s Nitro shoes. The Running division is growing faster than Puma India’s core business, confirming a robust demand for serious running gear.
According to 2024 data, India’s emerging sports business grew 19 per cent year-on-year, with marathons making up 23.5 per cent of the segment. Puma is tapping into this momentum with events, gear, and grassroots activations that turn running into a lifestyle.
“We are thrilled to welcome Puma India on board as our official sportswear partner. At NEB Sports, we have always believed in creating inclusive, eco-conscious sporting experiences that go beyond the racetrack. This association marks an exciting chapter in fostering a culture of health and wellness across communities. Together, we aim to inspire more people to lace up and hit the roads with passion and purpose”, said NEB Sports chairman & MD Nagaraj Adiga.
Puma India’s track record includes supporting events like the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, the high-altitude Ladakh Marathon, and the Adani Marathon. In 2024 alone, it ran over 250 training sessions across cities and introduced formats like the Puma x Bumble Singles Run.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
