The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, October 10, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Under Armour, the global sportswear giant, has made its much-anticipated debut in Odisha with the opening of its first exclusive store at Bhubaneswar’s Nexus Esplanade Mall on Thursday. The store was inaugurated by none other than Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra, who received a warm welcome from sports enthusiasts, fitness buffs, and his legions of fans.
The event saw Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin star and global sports icon, engaging with local athletes and fitness lovers, encouraging them to chase their dreams with unwavering dedication. He spoke passionately about the importance of high-quality sports gear in helping athletes push their limits and improve performance.
“I’ve always believed in the power of hard work and determination, but having the right gear makes a real difference. Under Armour has been a vital part of my journey, and I’m excited that athletes in Odisha now have direct access to this incredible brand,” Neeraj said during the inauguration. He praised Bhubaneswar’s growing status as a key sports hub with its world-class infrastructure and deep-rooted sporting culture, which has attracted numerous national and international events.
The new Under Armour store, located on the ground floor of the Nexus Esplanade Mall, offers a cutting-edge shopping experience. It showcases the brand’s latest retail innovation, the “Brand House City Concept Evolution,” providing customers with an immersive blend of top-tier products and an innovative shopping environment. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can now explore a range of high-performance gear, including the revolutionary SlipSpeed Mega shoes, Velociti running shoes, and Neeraj’s favorite mineral-infused apparel lines — Launch and Vanish. Additionally, the store features the renowned Curry and Project Rock collections, along with an extensive golf range.
Tushar Goculdas, Managing Director of Underdog Athletics, the exclusive distributor for Under Armour in India, emphasized Odisha’s rich sporting legacy and the state’s rising stature as a sporting powerhouse. “Odisha has produced some of the finest athletes across multiple disciplines, and with its state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, the timing couldn’t be better to introduce Under Armour here. Our partnership with Neeraj Chopra strengthens our vision of becoming India’s most loved athletic performance brand,” Goculdas remarked.
In a city that continues to grow as a sporting destination, Under Armour’s arrival will serve Bhubaneswar’s active community of athletes and fitness lovers. The store is expected to become the go-to destination for high-performance gear, helping the next generation of athletes in Odisha reach new heights.
With its star-studded global athlete roster, including NBA star Stephen Curry, golfer Jordan Spieth, and heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, Under Armour continues to support top athletes worldwide. Neeraj Chopra’s association with the brand reinforces Under Armour’s commitment to empowering athletes with cutting-edge performance gear to help them excel.
The opening of Under Armour’s first store in Odisha marks a significant milestone in the brand’s expansion in India, as it brings its world-class products closer to the nation’s burgeoning community of athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
