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Tag: Usain Bolt

  • Usain Bolt trades track for turf in Puma-backed Mumbai football spectacular

    Usain Bolt trades track for turf in Puma-backed Mumbai football spectacular

    MUMBAI: Usain Bolt swapped his sprinting spikes for football boots last night, tearing across a floodlit pitch at Mukesh Mills in a raucous 5v5 exhibition match that fused Indian football with  glamour. The world’s fastest man, whose passion for the beautiful game rivals his decorated athletics career, brought his trademark swagger to Mumbai in an event curated by Puma India to celebrate the country’s footballing culture.

    The Jamaican legend took turns playing for both sides, thrilling fans with bursts of pace that proved his love for football extends far beyond trackside banter. Players from Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC joined celebrities in an evening that blurred the lines between sport and spectacle.

    Kareena Kapoor Khan, Puma brand ambassador, conducted the toss—won by Bengaluru FC—before remaining pitch-side to cheer both teams through the match.

    “Football has been one of my first loves after track and field, and playing in Mumbai alongside athletes, celebrities and fans was electric,” said Bolt, a Puma brand ambassador. “The passion, the noise, the atmosphere—this is the kind of high that stays with you long after the final whistle.”

    The match showcased some of India’s finest footballing talent. Sunil Chhetri delivered sharp passes whilst Gurpreet Singh Sandhu produced heroic saves. Mumbai City FC stars and Puma ambassadors Suresh Wangjam, Akash Mishra and Phurba Lachenpa displayed their skill alongside celebrity  names including Dino Morea and Aparshakti Khurana, who brought star power to the pitch.

    “Usain Bolt’s visit to India is about celebrating the joy of sport and creating experiences that fans will remember forever,” said Puma India managing director Karthik Balagopalan,. “With this unique football match, Puma brought together icons from sport and entertainment on one stage, with our partner clubs Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC making it even more special. As a sports-first brand, Puma India has always pushed boundaries to create unforgettable moments for fans, and this match was our way of celebrating football fandom in the country.”

    The event underscored Puma India’s strategy of blending athletic performance with popular culture, creating memories as fast and unforgettable as the legend who headlined them.

  • Gallant Sports gears up Dream Dash finale with Usain Bolt in Mumbai, Delhi

    Gallant Sports gears up Dream Dash finale with Usain Bolt in Mumbai, Delhi

    When the world’s fastest man watches India’s fastest kids, you know the track is set for fireworks. Dream Dash, a first-of-its-kind multi-city sprinting competition for school children, is gearing up for a blockbuster finale where none other than Usain Bolt will be the Guest of Honour. And ensuring the young athletes sprint on world-class tracks is Gallant Sports, the country’s leading sports infrastructure company, which has partnered as the official Infrastructure Partner.

    The sprint series, conceptualised by KPMG in India and presented by Dreamsetgo, puts grassroots sprinting firmly on the national stage. Children from Grades 3 to 9 have already laced up for 100m and 200m races, starting with school-level heats and progressing to inter-school city finals. The fastest of them all will now line up at the grand finales in Mumbai and Delhi, racing not just for glory but in front of the Jamaican legend himself.

    For Gallant Sports, the event is a showcase of what it does best building the right stage for sporting dreams. From the design of running tracks to preparing competition surfaces, Gallant has ensured that every venue matches international standards.

    “Sports dreams are born on the right grounds,” said Gallant sports & infra founder & CEO Nasir Ali. “At Gallant, we’ve always focused on creating accessible and inclusive facilities that encourage participation and build confidence. Our association with Dream Dash gives us the opportunity to support young sprinters with the infrastructure they need to pursue their ambitions.”

    While winning will always grab headlines, Dream Dash puts equal emphasis on participation. Every child who competes whether they cross the line first or not will receive a medal and certificate, ensuring no one leaves without a moment of pride. It’s a reminder that sport is as much about the journey as the podium.

    The initiative is also part of a larger conversation: India’s urgent need for more safe, durable, and affordable sports infrastructure in schools and communities. Gallant Sports has been leading that charge, working to make sport a shared experience rather than a privilege limited to a few.

    With Usain Bolt watching from the sidelines and young Indians sprinting towards their dreams, the finale of Dream Dash promises to be a celebration of both fitness and aspiration. If the right environment can turn potential into performance, then this partnership may well spark the next generation of champions.