New Delhi :Having just secured a quota for the Rio Olympics, ace Indian shooter Heena Sidhu has entered into a three-year exclusive deal with sports management group Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS).
The former world number bagged the quota by winning the gold medal in 10 meter air pistol event at the Asia Olympic Qualifying here last week.
Heena, who was the ninth Indian shooter to qualify for Rio Olympic Games, will be seen competing in two events – 10 meter air pistol and 25 meter air pistol.
IOS have recently acquired the marketing and commercial rights of Indian Olympic Association for a period of two years including Rio Olympic Games scheduled to be held this year.
Following the deal, IOS will manage the current world record holder’s endorsements, appearances, brand profiling, patents, licensing and digital rights, images, visibility on social networking sites.
Speaking on this association, Heena said, “Year 2016 is a great start for me, booking a berth for the Rio Olympics. I still have 6 months to prepare and work hard for the Rio Olympics, before which I will compete in the major events like World Cup.
“I have been performing well in the international circuit from last few years 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 really convinced in the manner in which IOS has built country’s top women sportspersons Saina Nehwal and MC Mary Kom as a big brand in the industry and that was the major reason I decided to join hands with IOS.”
“I am confident that IOS, a company that is in the best possible position to help me achieve my business goals and maximise the value of my brand.”
Welcoming Heena to IOS family, Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO IOS Sports & Entertainment said, “I would like to congratulate Heena for booking a berth to Rio Olympics. We are pleased to welcome another top women sportsperson of the country into the IOS family. Heena is a young achiever.
“She is a superbly talented player and world class competitor who demonstrates a very strong character through her passion and commitment to her game. I believe she has the ability to translate those qualities into achieving great success working with global brands in the marketplace.”
The 26-year-old Heena has more than 21 international titles to her credit as of now and will be a promising prospect for the country at the Rio Olympics.
Heena, who will be participating in her second Olympics at Rio this year, has to her credit a gold medal in the ISSF World Cup Finals 2013 (Germany), gold and silver medal in the Commonwealth Games 2010 (Team & Individual in Delhi), silver medal in Asian Games 2010 (Guangzhou) and one bronze in the Asian Games 2014 (Incheon).
Cricketer Suresh Raina, Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal, MC Mary Kom and Vijender Singh are India’s top sportspersons exclusively managed by IOS.
PTI