Saina signs up with IOS Sports Management Group

Star India shuttler Saina Nehwal has signed a two-year deal with leading sports management group, IOS Sports & Entertainment. IOS will now manage Saina's endorsements, appearances, brand profiling, patents, licensing and digital rights, images and visibility on social networking sites.

The London Olympic bronze medallist had recently won a silver at the Badminton World Championship in Jakarta and once again regained World No.1 spot.

IOS will target around 25 crore over the two years. "I have been performing well in the international circuit but at the same time I was looking for a sports management group that could manage my overall brand portfolio and logistics plus commercial activities in the best professional way.

"I am confident that IOS, a company that is in the best possible position to help me achieve my business goals and maximize the value of my brand," said the 25-year-old shuttler, who has 23 international titles to her credit and is a promising prospect for India at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

IOS also manages other elite sportspersons such as cricketer Suresh Raina, Olympic medallist boxers Vijender Singh and MC Mary Kom, and two-time Olympic medal winning wrestler Sushil Kumar.

Commenting on the deal, Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO IOS Sports & Entertainment said, "I would like to congratulate Saina for making the nation proud by winning historic silver medal in the World Championship and regaining the world number 1 spot. We are pleased to welcome another top women sportsperson of the world into the IOS family."

Image: Saina Nehwal

Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images for Falcon