Hyderabad: She may not be able to scale the heights of Mahinder Singh Dhoni's Rs2.1 billion (Dh165 million) deal but India's badminton sensation and world No 2 badminton player Saina Nehwal is about to give other stars some tough competition in brand endorsements.
Nehwal, who appears to be determined to become Queen of the badminton world by reaching the top rank soon, has started attracting the attention of corporations as a potential brand ambassador.
Herbalife, the US company which direct-sells nutrition products and energy drinks signed up 20-year-old Nehwal for an undisclosed amount for one more year on Friday.
Sources said as many as 12 corporations including MNCs had lined up to talk to the managers of India's most popular badminton player.
Announcing her association with Herbalife, Nehwal said that people would see her in many more roles as she endorsed more products.
But she did not give further details, saying these matters were being dealt with by her father Dr Harvir Singh and her management company Deccan Chargers Sporting Ventures.
Nehwal is already a brand ambassador for the Deccan Chronicle newspaper and its IPL team the Deccan Chargers.
Nehwal said that she would be endorsing only those products which suited her personality.
More products
"I would like to endorse some more products in future," she said.
When asked what kind of products she will be endorsing, Sania said: "First of all they should suit my personality as a sportsperson. I should use the product and product should suit me".
Though the worth of the deal between Nehwal and Herbalife was kept under wraps, sources said that it could be between Rs3 million to Rs5 million.
Nehwal's endorsement value had zoomed up following her recent victories and her rise to the world's number two in World Badminton Federation rankings, sources said.
"It will go up to Rs10 million per endorsement if she succeeds in becoming world number one," a market expert said.
But Nehwal said the game of badminton would remain her first love.
"I cannot forget that all these things are happening with me because of my game," Nehwal said.
"Reaching number two was very tough task for me and from here on nothing is going to be easy.
"I just have to be more prepared for every event as I will be high-ranked player in the tournaments.
"So everyone is going to give me very tough competition. I will have to work really really hard on my fitness and my game." Nehwal said her three consecutive wins in major tournaments had only added to her responsibilities. "I see changes in my sports and also in the way my sponsorships are happening," she said.
"I am really happy with the progress. But I don't want to forget that it is because of my game. At the same time I am really happy to be associated with such big brands now."
On her association with Herbalife, Nehwal said the company had signed her for the first time last year when she was 28 in the world rankings and she was thankful to them for that support.
"I am a player first," Nehwal said. "I think Herbalife is very good for the sports people — not only for me but worldwide many top athletes are using this product. It is a very good chance for me to endorse such a big product".
When asked to comment on the rupees 210 crore deal for Indian cricket captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni, Nehwal said she wished him all the best.
"He is a cricketer. I think we should not compare [cricket with Badminton] ... I am really happy for him and I am happy with whatsoever I am getting. I just want to do well for my country in the game."
