The Namibia Rugby Union on Monday announced that it had signed a three-year partnership agreement with Puma in terms of which the global sport brand will become the team’s official technical supplier.
According to the vice president of the Namibia Rugby Union, Sarel Losper, the NRU set a series of priorities last year to ensure that Namibia’s national team could compete comfortably at international level. Amongst these priorities was the establishment of a series of smart partnerships to ensure that Namibia maintains a competitive edge.
“Our agreement with Puma is thus a union with a technical partner that allows us to share in the mutual benefit provided to us by our respective assets. It is clear that such a smart partnership between Namibia’s Welwitschias, ranked second on the African continent, and Puma, a leader in sport clothing in the world, is a union that is set to unlock significant value for both parties,” he said.
In terms of the agreement, Puma will be the exclusive supplier of kit and related apparel to Namibia’s senior national team, its players and management.
Losper said the agreement would give Namibian supporters a chance to buy authentic and high quality replicas.
“Through the partnership with Puma, we not only have a new kit, but will also be afforded the opportunity to mass produce high quality replica kits for sale to the public and our supporters. We call on every rugby loving Namibian to make it their duty to buy their replica jersey and wear them with pride when we fill our stadiums in support of our players. It is time that we create a strong sense of unity in building our favourite game,” he said.
Puma’s marketing manager Grant Hamilton, who especially flew in from South Africa for the occasion said it was an ‘excellent day for Puma’ and that Namibia would now join Puma’s stable of national rugby teams, along with Ireland and Samoa.
The partnership agreement comes just ahead of Namibia’s participation in the South African Vodacom Cup competition. Namibia’s campaign gets underway on Saturday afternoon when they host the Griffons of Eastern Free State at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek. The match is scheduled to start at 14h00.