Country’s leading sports management group IOS Sports and Entertainment turns 15 this week. Founded in 2005 by former top-level Squash player Neerav Tomar and Industrialist Sanjeev Khandelwal, IOS ventured into scouting and promoting Olympic sports talent with the signing of star boxer Vijender Singh the same year and thereafter have managed and worked with more than 100 top sports stars including the likes of Suresh Raina, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Sushil Kumar, Sardar Singh, Sandeep Singh, Hima Das, Yuvraj Singh, Heena Sidhu, Manika Batra.
In its initial years, the company acquired the 1939 established, most successful Football Club from the capital -New Delhi Heroes FC and revamped it to compete in the I league.
IOSs Talent division works with athletes to enhance their overall brand portfolio by representing their best interests in sponsorship deals, brand endorsements, public appearances, rights and social media management etc. Over the years, they have worked with over 500 brands and facilitated high-value brand collaborations for their athletes with global stalwarts like Adidas, Bridgestone, Nike, Asics, Puma, Herbalife, Reliance, Tata, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Nestle, Pepsi, Samsung, Motorola to name a few.
The 360-degree sports management agency has undertaken many end to end projects in major Indian sports leagues like Indian Premier League, (Gujarat Lions) Indian Super League, (Delhi Dynamos), Hockey India League (Delhi Waveriders), Torch Relay for Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Send-off Ceremony & Felicitation ceremonies of Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games for Indian Contingent, Durand Cup, Challenger Fight Night where they have worked in various capacities ranging from PR and Media, sponsorships and operations management.
IOS was given the award by Justice Mudgal for private company promoting sports at the Ficci India Sports Awards 2017. The Sports Firm is also the official marketing agency for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) since 2016 and has roped in top brands as sponsors with record revenue generation for IOA since its association.
The group through its subsidiary IOS Boxing Pvt Ltd has been pivotal in bringing professional boxing to India in 2015 by promoting fights of Indian boxing sensation Vijender Singh in the UK , USA and India. IOS Boxing has promoted pro fight cards in Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur with top fighters including Vijender in sell out stadiums and achieved record TV ratings for Live broadcast on Star Sports and Sony Network.
The Delhi-Mumbai based firm have done several landmark licensing and branded content deals such as the film – Mary Kom (biopic, starring Priyanka Chopra, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali) in 2014, Mary Kom’s autobiography, titled Unbreakable, in 2013 with leading publishers Harper Collins , Hima Das running shoe line with Adidas.
On sharing her journey with IOS, boxing legend Mary Kom said, “I started my journey with IOS in 2009 and 12 years on I can proudly say that it has been great working with them. Thank you for all the hard work over the years in helping me grow as a brand. Keep up the good work and keep promoting sports in India. Congratulations for completing 15 years.”
Congratulating the company on its 15th Anniversary, Indian boxing icon Vijender Singh added, “Its been a remarkable journey working with IOS. I signed with them all the way back in 2005. I am very thankful to them for always supporting me and helping me enter professional boxing. It was a big stepping stone in my career.”
On congratulating IOS, ace Indian athlete Hima Das commented, “After winning the IAAF Under 20 World Championship in 2018, I signed with IOS. At that time, I needed their professional guidance to help me grow as a brand. I’m glad I signed with them at the right time and there has been no looking back since then. Thank you for all your hard work and efforts. Congratulations for completing 15 years.”
On completing 15 years , MD and CEO Neerav Tomar said, “We started with a vision to contribute towards the overall growth of the Indian sports ecosystem. I’m happy that we have been able to do so over a remarkable journey of decade and a half. I would like to thank each and every team member and all stakeholders who have contributed immensely for what we are known and stand for today. IOS will continue to stay focussed and achieve greater heights with younger leadership driving the group through a new and innovative approach.”
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