Mumbai: Skechers, the renowned American multinational footwear and apparel company, has announced a significant new partnership with Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian National Football Team. Chhetri, an icon in the world of football, will now serve as a Skechers ambassador, wearing Skechers football boots on the pitch and featuring in the brand’s marketing campaigns.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the partnership, Sunil Chhetri remarked, “I am delighted to join forces with Skechers, a brand that is always innovating to achieve excellence. As someone who understands the importance of building and promoting sports in this country, I am excited to collaborate with a brand that empowers individuals to unlock their full potential, both on and off the field. I love the Skechers Football boots, and I look forward to helping players and fans across the country discover how amazing this brand will be for our sport.”
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Rahul Vira, CEO of Skechers Asia, also welcomed Chhetri to the Skechers family. “We are thrilled that Sunil Chhetri is joining Team Skechers in India. Chhetri’s best-in-class commitment perfectly aligns with our brand values, making him the ideal ambassador to represent our dedication to building sports and performance in the country. Off the field, his influence resonates with those who strive for greatness in all aspects of their lives. On the pitch, he represents what is great about Indian football, and will be a great asset to the brand when we launch Skechers Football in India later this year. Currently, Chhetri is wearing innovative Skechers Football boots on field, featuring our signature comfort and performance technologies.”
Sunil Chhetri is celebrated for his exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership. As the captain of the Indian National Football Team, he holds the record for the most goals scored by an Indian in international matches, with a tally of 94, placing him fourth globally. Chhetri’s impressive list of achievements includes being named the AIFF Player of the Year seven times, receiving the Arjuna Award in 2011, and the Padma Shri in 2019. His teams have secured victories in prestigious tournaments such as the AFC Challenge Cup (2008), SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021, 2023), Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012), and the Intercontinental Cup (2018, 2023).
Joining Skechers, Chhetri becomes part of a distinguished lineup of athletes endorsing the brand’s performance footwear. This roster includes cricket sensation Ishan Kishan, elite footballers like Harry Kane, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Anthony Elanga, NBA stars Julius Randle and Terance Mann, Major League Baseball players such as Clayton Kershaw, Aaron Nola, and Brendan Donovan, golfers Matt Fitzpatrick and Brooke Henderson, and pickleball pros Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau.
This partnership marks another significant milestone for Skechers India, underscoring its commitment to innovation and excellence in sports. With Chhetri at the forefront, competing in Skechers Football boots, the brand is set to elevate its presence in the Indian sports market. The highly anticipated Skechers Football boots, which are already available in Europe and the United States, are scheduled to launch in India in August 2024.
