The Senegal National Team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, will debut its new PUMA Cellerator kit and training line in the upcoming friendly match against fellow PUMA team Cameroon, a.k.a the Indomitable Lions, to be played on neutral ground in France on February 9th.

Cellerator, PUMA’s established statement football playing kit and training line, represents the pinnacle performance solution within the brand’s football apparel product offering. All Cellerator apparel takes advantage of PUMA’s AMT (Advanced Movement Technology). This technology incorporates articulated cut lines to reduce friction, ensuring the player has a complete freedom of movement. In addition, the textile and material selection across the range has been tailored to players’ requirements – be it breathability, ventilation, moisture management and, naturally, comfort.

Senegal played its first international game in 1961 and have since successfully qualified for the African Cup of Nations Finals on nine occasions with their best finish in 2002, placing second. Later that year, the Lions of Teranga became the second African team to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

The Senegal National Team is currently en route for the 2006 FIFA World Cup facing Togo, Zambia, Congo, Liberia and Mali in Group 1 of the CAF continental qualifications. The teams’ next upcoming World Cup qualifier is a home game against Liberia on March 25th.

“The co-operation with the Angolan Football Federation is final confirmation of PUMA’s unparalleled involvement in African football,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman & CEO of PUMA A.G., and continued: “Needless to say, we are delighted to be the official supplier to all five African national teams for next year’s tournament in Germany, let alone the fact that we are the dominant kit supplier with a total of twelve teams come June next year.”

Angola will be endorsing PUMA’s new v1.06 statement product concept to be introduced in January, coinciding with the start of the 2006 CAF African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Tournament debutants Angola successfully qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup having overcome Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Algeria and Rwanda in Group 4 of the CAF qualification group stages. Angola, nicknamed ‘Palancas Negras’ (Black Antelopes), recorded this historic milestone following a 1-0 away win in Rwanda on the last day of qualifying to oust Nigeria at the top of the table, thereby putting an end to 21 years of longing.

“We are pleased to contribute to the mission of UNITED FOR AFRICA and their humanitarian efforts. With our number one position in African football, PUMA has a great opportunity to raise awareness and support the UNITED FOR AFRICA initiatives,” said Jochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman and CEO.

As the current supplier to the Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia Football Associations, PUMA has a long history and strong affiliation with African Football. The 2006 partnership with UNITED FOR AFRICA is an extension of that commitment.

About UNITED FOR AFRICA

Under the patronage of German Federal President Horst Koehler, over thirty international charity organisations have joined forces through the initiative UNITED FOR AFRICA. The aim of UNITED FOR AFRICA is to act against the conception of Africa as the “lost continent” and to attract the attention of the public not only to the long-term plight and poverty of millions of people on the African continent, but also to their potential and the signs of hope.

This umbrella initiative maintains more than 5000 projects throughout the African continent. The variety of projects includes support for street children, orphanages, AIDS-education programs, and counselling for child soldiers. Helping people to help themselves is the aim of the local work that has been done by mainly African local staff. More details available at www.united-for-africa.org

The press conference will include the unveiling of the PUMA Charity Collection: the styles exclusively created for the cooperation will be premiered in a special fashion show. The new, limited edition PUMA
charity collection will donate a customer-transparent amount from each collection item to UNITED FOR AFRICA. The collection will be available from the end of May 2006 at 10 different locations nationwide, including PUMA Concept Stores.

As a special highlight of the cooperation PUMA and UNITED FOR AFRICA will present the UNITED FOR AFRICA retail entertainment tram: Equipped with special informative and interactive material, and an outlet for the UNITED FOR AFRICA Charity Collection, the trams will run on allocated routes around Berlin from the beginning of June to the middle of July, promoting the UNITED FOR AFRICA campaign. Countless events and shows with celebrity artists and sportspersons will take place during this time in both the trams and Berlin’s Café Moskau, PUMA’s football headquarters during the World Cup, providing the necessary publicity to raise awareness for UNITED FOR AFRICA.

Additional campaign merchandise include a music CD and a unique “coffee table” book “The African Game”: the CD, featuring music from African and Western artists, uniquely mirrors the fusion of African traditions and modern influences. The book, a cooperation between the Nigerian fashion photographer Andrew Dosunmu and the author Knox Robinson, is an affectionate and photographic homage to Africa and football. The book and CD will be available in PUMA Concept Stores, the trams and Café Moskau and in retail stores nationwide. The entire sales revenue for these products will benefit UNITED FOR AFRICA.

Video clips and photos can be downloaded at http://about.puma.com/newsroom. For your initial registration please use “PUMA / UFA Press Release” in the field “contribution info”.
If you have any further questions please contact us by e-mail: puma@thenewsmarket.com.

Governing mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit commented: “I am happy to welcome Africa to Berlin today in this special way. My cordial welcome especially goes to the players of the five African World Cup teams, who are supporting the UNITED FOR AFRICA campaign. By supporting UNITED FOR AFRICA, the City of Berlin would like to express its solidarity with the people on the African continent. With your support, we are demonstrating the openness and solidarity of our city. Demonstrate your personal rejection of right wing extremist tendencies in Germany by showing your hospitality.”

Numerous celebrity supporters were present at the grand opening at Hackescher Markt. The stars of the African World Cup football team were demonstrating their football skills for charity, fashion fans made use of the opportunity to print their very own limited edition charity T-shirts and sports fans went one-on-one against leading film, radio and TV stars in a penalty shoot out. In addition to Daniel Brühl, Jasmin Tabatabai and Alexandra Maria Lara, photographer Hubertus von Hohenlohe and the American Jazz musician Keziah Jones supported the campaign with their unique talents and personal commitment. Also present at the event were Katrin Kortmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and representatives of several African embassies in Berlin.

“We are pleased and honoured to support the campaign UNITED FOR AFRICA in its initiatives and efforts”, said Jochen Zeitz, CEO of PUMA AG. “The Charity Tram with the PUMA Charity Collection UNITED FOR AFRICA is an innovative, unusual way to generate awareness and promote donations for Africa during the World Cup.”

The information stands at Hackescher Markt informed all visitors about the work carried out by UNITED FOR AFRICA. The aim of this event during the World Cup 2006 is to direct international awareness to Africa and African issues, to encourage and inspire people to face up to these topics and gather donations for the 5000 and more aid projects currently active on the African continent. In addition, the Goethe Institute Film Festival “Africa In Motion” was presented, which will amaze and excite football fans, Africa and cinema enthusiasts alike.

Susanne Anger, spokeswoman of UNITED FOR AFRICA said: “In addition to the work of the aid and humanitarian organisations, the UNITED FOR AFRICA campaign clearly aims to emphasize the opportunities and true potential which Africa has. With more than 5000 projects, the 30 aid organisations of UNITED FOR AFRICA actively help people in need every day. We are happy to have found such a strong and authentic partner as PUMA for our campaign.”

The UNITED FOR AFRICA Charity Tram runs on a central, specially planned route through the heart of Berlin and is advertising the campaign. The tram will attract attention by hosting numerous events featuring prominent artists and sports personalities and offer numerous opportunities to donate money to the charity. PUMA’s Charity Collection UNITED FOR AFRICA, also sold in the PUMA Concept Stores in Germany, will be available here for purchase, as will the limited edition World Cup outfits. The moment both wagons of the special event tram start moving, the motto until the 9th July 2006 is: GET ON IT!

Film material and photos can be downloaded at http://about.puma.com/newsroom. You will be redirected to the website www.thenewsmarket.com, where you will then be able to access the material free of charge. If you have any further questions please contact us by e-mail at puma@thenewsmarket.com.

“I am happy that the joint commitment of PUMA and UNITED FOR AFRICA continues with this wonderful Christmas promotion”, says AKON. “With only 10 €, a child in Africa can already go to school for more than six months.”

And Maxi Jazz adds: “To help can be so easy. Buy a watch and do some good by supporting the projects of UNITED FOR AFRICA”.

The donation of 10€ for every PUMA watch (or an approximate equivalent in other currencies) will go directly to UNITED FOR AFRICA. In addition to the proceeds from the PUMA TIME collection, the charity wristband will again be sold in all Concept Stores in Europe and the United States until the end of February 2007 – helping to raise even more funds in aid of this charity project. All articles that will be sold in aid of the joint cooperation will clearly display the amount donated to the campaign.

“The announcement of the long-term partnership with the Cameroon Football Association underlines PUMA’s commitment to support African football. Africa will be the center of attention with the African Cup of Nations in 2008 leading up to the 2010 World Cup™ in South Africa”, says Jochen Zeitz, CEO of PUMA AG.

With an Olympic Gold from Sydney 2000, crowned African Champions four times (1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002) and the first ever African team to qualify for the World Cup™ quarterfinal in Italy in 1990, Cameroon is a powerhouse in African football as well as in the World of Football.

With an impressive portfolio of ten PUMA-sponsored African national teams, PUMA is already indisputably the most visible football brand in Africa.

The agreement further consolidates PUMA’s strong brand identity with the excitement and passion of African football. Adding another African national team to the long list of PUMA-sponsored teams Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Togo, Morocco, Mozambique, Angola and Botswana, puts PUMA squarely at the forefront of African football for the 2008 African Cup of Nations and the build-up to the 2010 World CupTM.

The Namibian Football Association was founded in 1990 and affiliated to FIFA and CAF in 1992.

Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman: “We support the aim of Peace One Day and want to make a contribution to the generation of global peace on one day. Within our commitment, we will develop a special charity football collection, available in 2008. We are delighted to be a strong and long-term partner of this exemplary initiative.”

PUMA has a proven track record in fundraising initiatives such as supporting the United for Africa charity during the World Cup. Peace One Day is another important charity organization that PUMA can help by offering its expertise in Sportlifestyle and creating desirable products to benefit the cause.

On September 21st, 2007 PUMA will announce plans for its Peace One Day football collection, which will be unveiled at the African Cup of Nations in January 2008. PUMA’s already established relationships with its African football teams ensures this exciting football collection will be seen on some of Africa’s leading players throughout the tournament – during which a key part of shooting the second Peace One Day documentary takes place. An exclusive press screening of the first award-winning documentary will be organized by PUMA prior to the Royal Albert Hall event.

The PUMA Peace One Day collection consists of a specific designed Peace One Day football and accessories and will be sold world wide beginning in May 2008 – with the goal that all products related to this fundraising will ultimately be sourced and manufactured in Africa .

Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley states, “One thing I’ve learned is that football and other sports have the potential to bring people and communities together in a fun and meaningful way. With the help of Puma we will take the message of Peace Day to hundreds of millions of people over the coming years. Through One Day, One Goal we will work to create football matches in every country of the world on 21 September.”

“The fact that 20 of 24 games in the group stage of the African Cup of Nations will feature the PUMA logo is a statement we are proud to make,” says PUMA Chairman and CEO, Jochen Zeitz. “PUMA’s commitment to African football as the leading supplier runs deep, much like the passion that Africa shows for the game of football itself.”

Along with Ghana and Egypt, PUMA’s teams also include talented sides from Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, as well as African Cup of Nations first-timer Namibia. In fact, seven of the games in the group phase will be between teams wearing the Leaping Cat logo. Each PUMA team will wear PUMA’s new v1.08 products that launch in stores this week with a full collection of performance footwear, apparel and accessories.

In addition, PUMA will activate several activities on the ground during the tournament. Jochen Zeitz and the Peace One Day charity will co-host a youth exhibition game on January 19 in Accra on the eve of the opening game, together with African football legends Roger Milla and Anthony Yeboah. PUMA supports Peace One Day charity through the development of an own football collection, which will be presented at the tournament.

“This is an exciting kick-off for an extraordinary year in sports for the world and for PUMA,” said Zeitz. “We can’t think of a better way to kick it off then with our activities in Africa and the support of PUMA’s national teams at the African Cup of Nations. Then it’s on to EURO 2008™, where PUMA will be worn by the world champions Italy, the host nations – Austria and Switzerland – Czech Republic and EURO-newcomer Poland.”

“Ghana was one of the most inspiring stories of the 2006 World Cup™, capturing the world’s attention with their exciting style of play and passion for the game,” said Zeitz. “PUMA is proud to extend our partnership with them for many years to come and we wish The Black Stars the best of luck during the next three weeks in the African Cup on their home soil.” The Black Stars have been a dominant force on the African continent for the past half century, winning the African Cup of Nations™ four times (1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982) and finishing second on three occasions.

They have previously hosted or co-hosted (with Nigeria) the African Cup on three occasions, winning twice as host in 1963 and 1978. In 2006, the team made its first-ever World Cup appearance, upsetting the Czech Republic and the United States in group play before falling to Brazil in a Round of 16 game in which Ghana controlled the pace of play for much of the first half. “We are proud to be partners with such a global brand that has made a commitment to football in both Ghana and the African continent on the whole,” said Federation President Nyantakyi. “PUMA has delivered on their promises to support us.”

As part of the partnership, PUMA has also helped secure a Mercedes-Benz bus for use by the National Team and will assist in construction of a turf training field for the federation. PUMA will be the Official Supplier of The Black Stars and all its associated teams including the Men’s ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘U21’, ‘U19’ and ‘Youth’ National Teams, as well as Women’s ‘A’, ‘U21’ and ‘Youth’ National Teams beyond the 2014 World Cup™. In 1992, Ghana’s Olympic Team won the bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics and, last year, Ghana’s Women’s National Team played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the third consecutive time.

The contract between the Egyptian Football Association and PUMA was signed in January 2006 and PUMA will support the team beyond the World Cup in South Africa until December 31, 2010.

As the official supplier to a dozen national teams across Africa, PUMA was worn by nine of the 16 teams in the tournament. PUMA gained brand visibility throughout 87.5% of the tournament, showing the strongest brand visibility on the pitch. That being, in 28 out of the 32 games, at least one PUMA team was present, equating to 42 hours of on-pitch action. In the semi-finals, all teams were supplied by PUMA – making PUMA the most prominent brand.

In the light of PUMA’s ongoing and long-term commitment for the African football, PUMA and the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) also announced a multi-year extension of their successful partnership beyond the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “The Ivory Coast is one of Africa’s – and the world’s – most talented teams, as we’ve seen at the 2006 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations the past two weeks,” said Zeitz. “PUMA is proud to work with the FIF and support Les Elephants for many years to come.”

Les Elephants, as the national team is called back home, have been one of Africa’s top teams for several decades, losing in the semi-finals in this year’s ACN against winner Egypt after having won the African Cup of Nations once (1992). In 2006, the team made its first-ever World Cup appearance. Aside from their exciting style of play, Les Elephants are also known for their colorful orange pop-colored uniforms. The extension was made official last week by PUMA Vice President Horst Widmann and FIF President Jacques Bernard Anouma at the Africa Cup of Nations.