Neelendra Singh, managing director of Adidas India, shared insights into the brand’s global journey, its growing influence in India, and the nation’s evolving sports landscape at the Print Summit 2025, held on 16 January at Tata Theatre at NCPA in Mumbai.
During his presentation, Singh traced Adidas’ origins, dispelling the myth that the brand’s name stands for ‘All Day I Dream About Sports.’ He explained that Adidas derives its name from founder Adolf Dassler, whose nickname was “Adi”, combined with his last name, Dassler. Singh noted that Dassler began making footwear in the 1920s alongside his brother Rudolf under the Dassler Brothers brand. Following World War II, the brothers split, with Rudolf founding Puma and Adolf establishing Adidas in 1949.
Singh emphasized Dassler’s philosophy, “Only the best for the athlete,” which has driven Adidas’ innovation for decades. “Adi’s vision and dedication to creating products that enhance athletic performance laid the foundation for a brand that has endured and grown over 75 years,” Singh said, highlighting last year’s milestone anniversary.
Talking about India, Singh projected the country’s sports market to grow to $130 billion by 2030, attributing this expansion to the increasing diversity in sports consumption and India’s position as the world’s largest democracy and third-largest consumption market. He described India as a vibrant, multi-sport nation, home to 655 million sports fans spanning all demographics.
While cricket remains the dominant sport, boasting 492 million fans, Singh pointed to the rising popularity of other sports, such as kabaddi, football, hockey, and badminton. He highlighted the opportunities this presents for Adidas in retail, fashion, and eCommerce.
Reflecting on Adidas’ 30-year presence in India, Singh expressed optimism about the future. “The best part of our 30 years in India is yet to come,” he remarked, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the country’s dynamic sports ecosystem.
Singh’s address showcased Adidas’ legacy as a global brand and its focus on leveraging India’s growing appetite for sports to fuel its next growth phase.
