Why Your Favorite Puma Store Now Says PVMA: The Answer Will Amaze You!

Puma stores across India recently displayed signage showing “PVMA” instead of the iconic “Puma.” This generated much curiosity and debate on social media, ranging from spelling errors to bold marketing tactics. The answer was a tribute to badminton star PV Sindhu as she was announced brand ambassador for Puma.

Puma Celebrates PV Sindhu Partnership

The alteration of signage was part of Puma’s innovative campaign to honour PV Sindhu and celebrate their collaboration. As part of this partnership, Puma announced plans to create a high-performance badminton range, including specialized footwear, apparel, and accessories. These products will debut at the 2025 India Open, aiming to elevate the sport’s stature in the country.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sindhu to the Puma family. Her legacy and vision align perfectly with our commitment to fostering sports in India,” said Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of Puma India.

Elevating Badminton in India

Badminton, which has grown by 65% in popularity over the last four years, ranks as India’s second most popular urban sport after cricket. The sport boasts 57 million fans nationwide, with a significant 27 million from Gen Z, according to the Google-Deloitte Think Sports 2024 report.

Sindhu, widely regarded as one of India’s greatest badminton icons, has played a pivotal role in this growth. She made history as the first Indian to secure five medals at the Badminton World Championships and has excelled in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.

A Legacy of Excellence

Beyond her sporting achievements, Sindhu’s influence extends to global recognition. She has earned prestigious accolades like the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan and featured on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes in 2024. With 4 million followers on Instagram, she remains the most-followed badminton player globally.

“I’m proud to join Puma and contribute to promoting badminton and inspiring young players across India,” Sindhu said.

This collaboration not only strengthens Puma’s presence in India but also positions badminton as a sport of the future, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence.