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Tag: JSW Sports

  • AHF teams up with JSW Foundation for women’s empowerment

    AHF teams up with JSW Foundation for women’s empowerment

    Mumbai: With a vision to revolutionise hockey by empowering young and aspiring women in India and the rest of Asia, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) announces a unique partnership with JSW Foundation, the social development arm of the JSW Group – one of India’s leading business houses with a rich legacy of empowering rural communities to enrich their lives over the past three decades.

    “This is an important milestone in our endeavour to bring more women into the sport of hockey. This association with JSW Foundation promises to inspire change by empowering aspiring women who wish to get into the sport of hockey, not just as players but also as umpires, technical officials among many other roles. This initiative embodies FIH’s ‘Equally Amazing’ motto. With their vast knowledge and experience in social development, I believe this association with JSW Foundation will prove to be vital across India and Asian countries,” expressed  FIH president Dato Tayyab Ikram.

    Speaking about this unique partnership with the Asian Hockey Federation, JSW Foundation chairperson Sangita Jindal reaches out to over 1 million individuals annually across the country, through various interventions. With this program, today, I believe that at the JSW Foundation, we are not merely starting a program; We are igniting a movement—a movement aimed at rewriting the narrative of women’s empowerment and leadership in sports. Our mission is clear: to champion gender equality, to empower women in the world of hockey across India and 30 Asian Countries, and to redefine what’s possible both on and off the field.”

    While JSW Foundation’s focus areas range from education, health and nutrition, skill development, environment and water, art, and heritage; sports has been one of the strong focus points for JSW Foundation who believe that sport has the power to eliminate social discrimination and gender biases. Through JSW Sports, they promote sporting excellence and run multiple programs and platforms to aid India’s vision of achieving the status of a global powerhouse in sports. Their robust sports ecosystem has paved the way for 17 of the 107 medals at the recent Hangzhou Asian Games.

    AHF president Fumio Ogura welcomed the JSW Foundation and called them, ‘champions of change.’ He said, “JSW Group has been at the forefront of ringing in a new era of sports in India with their ambitious JSW Sports initiative that supports several leading athletes in the country and have successfully created an ecosystem that promises to contribute to India’s vision of becoming a global sporting powerhouse. We, at AHF, are privileged to receive their generous support in our efforts to bring more women into the sport. With their reach across India, through their several community-based initiatives, we believe we can take hockey far and wide in India as well as in rest of Asia.”

    Reflecting Jindal’s views and deep-rooted passion for sports, JSW Sports and Inspire Institute of Sport founder Parth Jindal said, “The JSW Women’s Empowerment and Youth Leadership Program is a reflection of our commitment to fostering leadership, gender equality, and diversity, not just in hockey but in society as a whole. It’s about empowering the women who are not just representing a team but also representing hope, inspiration, and the future of Indian sports.

    “When Tayyab Ikram spoke to us regarding this event and the launch of the JSW Women’s Empowerment and Youth Leadership Program, we didn’t have to think twice. At JSW, we have always been a Group that focuses on development and growth.

    I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone here and the Asian Hockey Federation for this partnership.”

  • JSW Group’s initiatives drive team India’s success at Asian Games

    JSW Group’s initiatives drive team India’s success at Asian Games

    Mumbai: India wrapped up what was the country’s most successful Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou, China, last week, with an unprecedented haul of 107 medals to finish fourth overall. The historic campaign had a few prominent factors behind its success, with JSW Group-led initiatives being among the forefront on that list.

    The JSW Group has, for a decade now, been pioneering a sporting movement in India through the JSW Foundation, JSW Sports, and the Inspire Institute of Sport, with a special focus on helping India succeed at the Olympic Games.

    Speaking on JSW Group’s holistic contribution to Indian sport and its subsequent impact on India’s performance at the Asian Games, JSW Sports and Inspire Institute of Sport founder Parth Jindal, said, “It gives all of us at the JSW Group immense pride to have played a pivotal part in India’s most successful Asian Games campaign yet. The JSW Group, through its initiatives, has been committed to transforming India into a sporting powerhouse and to see the effort yield consistent results in big-stage competitions is a testament to the work being put in.

    “The JSW Foundation, has for years now, been supporting the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), and more recently, the Government of Odisha’s swimming programme. The Inspire Institute of Sport has been our flagship high-performance centre with satellite centres in Himachal, Hisar, Odisha, and Manipur. Some of the biggest names in corporate India have joined hands with us in our movement. The role we have played in India’s success at Hangzhou has only fuelled our desire to succeed in Paris next year.”

    The Indian shooters bagged a staggering 22 medals, while the boxers picked five medals – four of those sealing berths at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. India’s swimming contingent, meanwhile, broke six national records while competing in China. The partnership with the NRAI involves supporting the coaches, while extensively aiding their data collection and analysis. With BFI, the Foundation’s support extends to organising and hosting national events, facilitating foreign coaching staff and even arming the Federation with a Performance Director.

    In Odisha, the JSW Foundation has initiated an end-to-end programme in conjunction with the Government to culture in aquatics. Currently, the programme is active in 15 different centres, impacting over 5000 children, with the numbers only set to double over the next five years. The programme also involves a team of highly experienced coaches who are working to create a pipeline of talent who will have an impact on high-performance swimming in the near future.

    According to JSW Foundation chairperson Sangita Jindal, “India is a nation of aspiring athletes. About a decade ago, there was a significant gap in the training, development & funding opportunities India offered to talented youngsters to pursue a career in sports. Hence, we launched the Sports Excellence Program as our proprietary CSR project to support Indian Olympic athletes. Over the years, we have also launched various interventions across all our direct impact zones to identify and nurture young rural sporting talent. These sporting gems are identified at an early age and our team helps to build their capacity through a holistic programme. They are then taken to Inspire Institute of Sport for further training to shape them for international championships.  Through our focus on world-class training  infrastructure, coaching and sports science, we are  confident of nurturing a new generation of  Olympic Sports champions for India.”

    The Inspire Institute of Sport had 31 athletes from on its roster represent Team India in China, and 17 from among those returned with medals. (Four gold, eight silver and five bronze). Neeraj Chopra, Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary and Men’s 4×400 relay team were among those who won Gold.

    The IIS, while spearheaded by the JSW Group, is also supported by close to 30 donors from corporate India, including entities like Citi India, IndusInd Bank, Kotak, Borosil and Gameskraft Foundation. This is in line with the IIS’ vision of assembling corporates to contribute and lead India’s charge to Olympic glory.

    “Through our long-standing association with JSW’s Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), I have witnessed first-hand how programs such as those run by IIS can positively impact our athletes’ performance, their careers across sporting arenas, and their long-term development. Programs such as these certainly raise the bar and encourage the next generation of sportspeople. We are very proud of our athletes from India and the work done by IIS. On behalf of Citi, our best wishes and congratulations to all the participants from India at the Asian Games,” said Citi India CEO Ashu Khullar.

    Kotak Mahindra Bank senior EVP and head CSR Himanshu Nivsarkar said, “Kotak Mahindra Bank has funded Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) under CSR Project that trains Indian Boxers and it gives us immense pride that Kotak’s CSR Project with IIS has contributed to put Indian Boxers on the world map. We congratulate all Indian Boxers for their performance at the recently concluded Asian Games 2023 held at Hangzhou, China. We wish all Boxers to train hard to get more medals at Paris Olympics 2024.”

    The support the IIS extends its athletes is holistic in the truest sense of the term. In Borosil, the Institute has a food & nutrition partner, and Borosil managing director Shreevar Kheruka, said he was encouraged by the progress Indian sport has made in the recent past. “We are delighted to support the Inspire Institute of Sport as Food & Nutrition Partners, and to see our athletes pick up 17 medals in Hangzhou was a moment of great pride for all of us at Borosil. Over the years we’ve seen a lot of progress in Indian sport, and a lot of credit goes towards the people working behind the scenes at the Institute. We believe the Asian Games is yet another chapter in what will be a very long line of success stories for the IIS.”

  • JSW Group elevates Divyanshu Singh as JSW Sports’ COO

    JSW Group elevates Divyanshu Singh as JSW Sports’ COO

    Mumbai: The $23 billion JSW Group has elevated Divyanshu Singh as chief operating officer of JSW Sports. This is part of JSW Group’s strategic direction to create a strong leadership bench by providing growth opportunities to high-performing employees.

    Divyanshu, a former professional tennis player comes with a decade of experience across sports sponsorships and marketing, talent management, new business development, and specializing in unlocking commercial value in sport.

    In 2014, he completed his MBA in Marketing and Strategy from ISB – India’s top-ranked B- School as per Financial Times. He then secured a scholarship to study Sports Management at Leipzig University in Germany in 2016-17 where he gained a global perspective and learned best practices in sports governance.

    Prior to joining JSW Sports in 2017 to set up the sales and marketing function at India’s largest pure-play sports management company, he had worked at IMG Reliance and Cornerstone Sport & Entertainment.

    JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, “Divyanshu’s elevation is in line with our Group’s strategy to scale-up high high-performing employees to enable them to contribute to business strategies at scale. Our Sports business is at a pivotal point as we continue to scale up our sports investments in Indian and international leagues and focus on new business avenues including talent management, consulting, licensing, and merchandise. I am confident that Divyanshu’s extensive experience and understanding of the Sports avenues will enable us to scale new horizons.”

    JSW Sports – the sports business of JSW Group has always had a holistic approach to athlete development as well as ensuring their commercial success in a rich and diverse ecosystem.  Along with fostering a culture of excellence and nurturing talent, JSW Sports also believes in contributing to the overall growth of sports in the country. The last few years has been a phase of immense growth from franchise ownership in multiple leagues to running India’s largest Olympic Sports Development Program.

    On his new responsibility, Singh said, “As I continue my journey at JSW Sports, I am really excited to be leading an organisation which has made such a massive impact on professionalising and developing Indian sport, which is currently at an inflexion point.. I am grateful to be working under such vision and leadership along with a team whose singular mission is to realise the sporting potential of India from both from a development and commercial lens.

  • Brands celebrate Asian Games 2023 with full fervour on Sony LIV

    Brands celebrate Asian Games 2023 with full fervour on Sony LIV

    Mumbai: India’s remarkable resurgence in the global sporting arena is a testament to its status as a multi-sport powerhouse. The captivating narratives and exhilarating moments in sports have long been a source of inspiration and entertainment for people of all ages. Recognising the fervour and enthusiasm of viewers, renowned brands such as EatFit, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, JSW, ACKO, and Limca Sportz have forged powerful collaborations with Sony LIV for the Asian Games 2023. These partnerships serve as a resounding expression of solidarity with and support for Indian athletes who are set to compete on this prestigious platform.

    EatFit, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, and JSW have come on board as co-presenting sponsors and will have a prominent presence within in-studio showcases to drive deep associations. JSW aims to shed light on India’s multi-sport achievements and showcase JSW-sponsored athletes. ACKO has come on board as co-powered by sponsor and will present highlights and introduce the ‘ACKO Changemakers’ series on Sony LIV. Furthermore, Limca Sportz is a Hydration Partner and will present ‘Unstoppable Player of the Day’, while RBI has exclusive rights to top moments. These collaborations promise engaging content and unique branding opportunities, enhancing the brand’s messaging among the audience.

    The Asian Games is poised to be a significant one for India, as a total of 655 Indian athletes will be competing in 41 disciplines. After 19 years, Asian Games will feature T20 tournament, where Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be making their debuts, giving many more reasons for viewers to be glued to their screens this year.

    Sony LIV head ad sales revenue Ranjana Mangla: Over the last few years, Sony LIV has proved to be a trusted and seamless partner for streaming multi-sporting properties, and the Asian Games is one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. Our coveted list of sponsors shares our passion for sports, with some renewing with us and others signing up for the first time. Each of them keenly wants to connect with a young and affluent subscriber base that makes us a strategic choice for their communications.

    Curefoods founder Ankit Nagori: I am thrilled to announce our partnership as a co-presenting sponsor for the Asian Games 2023 on Sony LIV. This exciting collaboration exemplifies the immense potential for brands to elevate their presence through multi-sports tournaments. In the spirit of competition and unity, we look forward to a journey that not only fuels athletic excellence but also nourishes brand association, bringing together the worlds of health, fitness, and sports in perfect harmony.

    JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal: We are proud of our sponsorship of Team India at the Asian Games 2022, reinforcing our commitment to sporting excellence in the nation. This support extends through our Inspire Institute of Sport, Vijayanagar, which propelled 25 athletes to represent India at Guangzhou.  ‘RukNa Nahi Hai’ is a rallying cry for sports to inspire and unite India’s diverse landscape.
    As proud sponsors, we look forward to Team India’s performances, donning the JSW jersey and embodying our brand’s determination and excellence. Through this partnership with Indian Olympic Association, and in collaboration with Sony LIV, we aim to foster a culture of sportsmanship, determination, and excellence for future generations”.

  • JSW Sports to handle commercial partnerships for Jemimah Rodrigues

    JSW Sports to handle commercial partnerships for Jemimah Rodrigues

    Mumbai: JSW Group’s sports wing JSW Sports has signed a multi-year deal with 21-year-old Indian Women Team’s cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues. As part of the association, JSW Sports will manage Rodrigues’ commercial and brand partnerships.

    Jemimah became only the second Indian woman to score a double-century in ODI cricket when she scored an unbeaten 202 for Mumbai against Saurashtra in 2017. She made her debut for the Indian Women’s Team in a T20 encounter against South Africa in February 2018, and went on to make her ODI bow for India against Australia only one month later.  

    On partnering with JSW Sports Rodrigues said, “Over the last decade, the JSW Group, through JSW Sports, has done a lot for several sports across the country, and I am really happy to know that they believe in my potential. I look forward to working closely with their team over the coming years.”

    Rodrigues has played across various leagues, representing Northern Superchargers in the Hundred (England), for whom she recorded the highest individual score with an unbeaten 92 against Oval Invincibles in July 2021. She has also turned out for Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League (Australia). 

    As part of her franchise career, Jemimah has also won the Player of the Series at the 2019 Women’s T20 Challenge, winning the title with IPL Supernovas in the process. Jemimah was previously awarded the Jagmohan Dalmiya Award for Best Domestic Junior Women’s Cricketer in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

    JSW Sports head of sales and marketing Divyanshu Singh expressed his happiness on signing Jemimah Rodrigues. “At JSW Sports, we are big supporters of women in sport, and we believe she has immense potential to grow both as an athlete and a brand. We’re looking forward to working closely with her,” said Singh.

    JSW Sports also handles commercial partnerships for Neeraj Chopra, Rishabh Pant, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and several other Indian athletes.

  • Disney BYJU’s Early Learn app onboards Neeraj Chopra as brand ambassador

    Disney BYJU’s Early Learn app onboards Neeraj Chopra as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, represented by JSW Sports, has been announced as the brand ambassador for Disney BYJU’s Early Learn app.

    As part of this two-year commitment, Chopra will inspire the young learners of BYJU’s to learn in a more creative and interactive way and most importantly, help them understand the importance of sports in their lives, said the brand in a statement.

    “While a lot has been written and said about Neeraj’s historic achievement in Tokyo, the story behind how he got there is one that is truly inspirational, making him a great role model for the youth,” stated JSW Sports CEO Mustafa Ghouse. “We have been working closely with Neeraj to identify meaningful brand associations, and this partnership made a lot of sense since he has always wanted to work with kids. We hope that the Disney BYJU’s early learners are inspired by Neeraj’s success and make the most of this learning platform.”

    “As a sportsperson, there is nothing more encouraging than seeing children learn from an early age while getting the chance to instill the right values in them,” said Neeraj Chopra. “In sport or life, learning and training go hand in hand and I hope I can work with these children to get them engaged and more involved with the learning process.”

    Since his gold medal-winning performance at the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games, Chopra has climbed up the rankings to become one of India’s most-followed sports celebrities on social media. Additionally, he has become one of India’s most sought-after brand endorsers this year, having signed long-term associations with 10+ major brands since the Olympics.

  • Neeraj Chopra’s social media valuation reaches Rs 428 cr: JSW Sports

    Neeraj Chopra’s social media valuation reaches Rs 428 cr: JSW Sports

    Mumbai: More than a month after Olympic sensation Neeraj Chopra created history by bagging the sole gold medal for India in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the athlete’s stock has been on a perpetual upward trajectory. The win has turned Chopra into a household name overnight across the country. His stellar on-field performance has now spilled over seamlessly onto the digital arena, catapulting the 23-year old javelin-thrower into the social media spotlight.

    According to a report by research consultancy firm YouGov Sport, Neeraj Chopra recorded over 2.9 million mentions from over 1.4 million authors, making him the ‘most mentioned’ athlete globally on Instagram during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. These numbers also represent a whopping 1401 per cent and 2055 per cent increase in his mentions from separate authors online, respectively. As a result, Chopra’s reach on social and digital media has come to a staggering 412 million, spanning several geographies over the world. These numbers have combined to take the athlete’s social media valuation to a total of Rs 428 crore.

    “Neeraj has been a consistently outstanding performer in his discipline over the last five to six years, resulting in his phenomenal success at the Tokyo Olympics. He has now become a recognisable personality for the Indian masses on a scale that was hitherto unseen. This, in turn, has brought about a growing interest from brands and institutions looking at a long-term sustainable collaboration,” said JSW Sports head of sales and marketing Divyanshu Singh. 

    The agency which represents the javelin thrower and manages Chopra’s endorsements shared that the athlete has created inroads into mainstream commercial success as a result of his performances on the field, and his growing popularity off it. 

    According to the report by YouGov Sport, Chopra’s total interactions on social media since bagging the gold medal have risen to 12.79 million, at a rate of 86.3 per cent. A key factor in the increased engagement on the athlete’s profile has been the steady increase in his video views, which is recorded at 4.05 million, nearly thrice the average for an elite Indian athlete on social media. Naturally, the number of account followers for Neeraj Chopra has also seen a swift upswing, with his Instagram following now recorded at 4.4 million, representing a 2297 per cent increase in his followers.

    Chopra has presently eclipsed even established international cricketers like KL Rahul and Rishab Pant in terms of total interactions and overall reach on social media, as per JSW Sports.

    The Olympic gold medallist last week signed his first set of endorsement deals after the Tokyo Games, which include edtech firm Byju’s, Tata AIA Life Insurance, and a top pharma brand. Welcoming Chopra on board, Tata AIA Life Insurance executive vice president and chief distribution officer Venky Iyer said, “As a VSM awardee in the army and a national icon today, Neeraj symbolises incredible passion for excellence and a great commitment to serving the nation. For us at Tata AIA, his sports journey echoes greatly with our vision of enabling dreams and inspiring healthier and happier lives.”

    According to reports, JSW Sports is in advanced talks to finalise more deals with luxury auto and apparel brands in the coming weeks and a series of digital-only pacts, at fees ten times higher than what Chopra charged before the Games. 

    The fact that the 23-year-old can deliver value has been well established in the days since his remarkable success. This has opened a new opportunity with brands that can innovate with strategies built around the young sensation.