Saina Regains World Number 1 Spot

IOS Sports had recently signed a three-year, Rs 35-crore contract with Suresh Raina, ending the cricketer’s association with Rhiti Sports Management owned by a friend of India ODI captain MS Dhoni.

The 25-year-old Saina rose a place to overtake her conqueror in the summit clash, Carolina Marin of Spain, to once again be ranked No.1. Saina had first become the World No. 1 in March, making her the first Indian ever to do so.

“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.

Hereon, IOS will manage Saina’s endorsements, brand profiling, appearances, patents, networking sites and licensing.

The World Championships silver medallist regained the No. 1 rank – surging 2,180 points ahead of Carolina Marin – and also struck a landmark deal with management company IOS Sports & Entertainment.

She insisted that winning the silver medal would, however, provide a lot of confidence to perform well in Japan and Korea Open, scheduled to take place next month. “I believe she has the ability to translate those qualities into achieving great success working with global brands in the marketplace” added Tomar.

“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”.

“I am really convinced in the manner in which IOS has built M.C. Mary Kom a big brand in the industry and that was the major reason I decided to join hands with IOS”. It also manages Olympic medallist boxers Mary Kom, Vijender Singh and double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar.

This was the fifth time an Indian has won a medal at the World meet.

– In 2008 she was named “The Most Promising Player of 2008” by the international Badminton Federation. But the results in these two Super Series events will not affect her ranking.