Saina Nehwal signs a 25-crore deal with a sports management company

Saina Nehwal in action at the World Championships

After regaining the number one spot in the latest World rankings, India’s Saina Nehwal has now signed a whopping 25-crore deal for a period of two years with the sports management company, IOS Sports and Entertainment, the Times of India reports.

"We are pleased to welcome another top sportswoman of the world into the IOS family. Saina is an achiever. At such a young age, she inspires millions of youngsters in the country and has become a national icon.

"She is a superbly talented player and world-class competitor who demonstrates a very strong character through her passion and commitment to her game," Neerav Tomar, managing director of IOS Sports and Entertainment said.

The way they have managed Mary Kom helped me sign the deal: Saina

Speaking about her association with the company, Saina expressed confidence over them managing her off-field commitments, which would enable her to focus on her game without distractions.

"I am happy to join them. I am sure they will take care of the deals and I just have to worry about the game and do well.

“I have been performing well on the international circuit but always felt that the management of my brand image, logistics plus commercial activities was not being done in the best professional way. Having seen how IOS has built MC Mary Kom as a big brand in the industry, I was convinced that I should allow them to manage my portfolio too. That was the major reason for deciding to join hands with IOS," the 25-year-old shuttler said.

Despite finishing runner-up in the recently concluded World Championships, Saina gained 3600 points which increased her tally from 79192 points to 82762 points, helping her go past Spain’s Carolina Marin and climb to the number spot.

This is the third time in her career that Saina has gone on top of the rankings and she is expected to stay there irrespective of her performance at the Japan and Korea Superseries in September. She will, however, be looking to put her best foot forward in both the tournaments.

Saina took to Twitter to express her delight over becoming World No. 1 again.

Very happy to be world number 1 againI would like to thank my coach Vimal Kumar sir and my parents for the support pic.twitter.com/BegLKR5HyJ

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 20, 2015