“We are happy to be associated with Sindhu once again. The four-year deal will be close to Rs 50 crore. It is one of the biggest, similar to Virat Kohli’s 10-year deal worth Rs 100 crore with Puma. Sindhu will get Rs 40 crore as sponsorship while the rest will be for equipment, so it is close to Rs 50 crore,” said Mahendra Kapoor, director, Sunlight Sports Pvt ltd, a multi-national exclusive partner of Li Ning in India.
Meanwhile, Kapoor has added that they are looking forward to a long term association with Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth.
Recently, Sindhu has become the only Indian shuttler to win World Championship Gold in China. In 2016, following her Olympic triumph Sindhu signed a landmark deal with Baseline Ventures, amounting Rs 100 crore. As part of the deal the deal, this will be the 14th product to be endorsed by the star shuttler.
In January 2019, Srikanth signed Rs 35 crore deal with Li Ning. “According to us, the Indian players are being paid less. We are looking forward to having a long association with Sindhu, Srikanth, and the other Indian players. We want to support them even after their retirement. They had moved to Yonex last time for some reason, but it will not happen again,” Kapoor added.
“I’m happy to be associated with Li Ning again,” Sindhu said. Li Ning also wants to provide coaching support to Sindhu and Srikanth. “Our aim is to see that Sindhu and Srikanth win Olympic gold next year,” he said.
Sindhu and Srikanth were with Li Ning for two years before signing their respective deals with Yonex. It is believed that Sindhu's deal with Yonex was worth Rs 1.5 crore approx per year.
Sindhu’s father PV Ramana said, “It’s a very good deal for Sindhu. Li Ning takes very good care of the players. I hope this association will help Sindhu become a better player.”
