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Nivia Sports

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Nivia Sports
Company typePrivate
Nivia
IndustrySports equipment, textile
Founded1934; 90 years ago (1934)
FounderNihal Chand Kharabanda
Headquarters
Jalandhar
,
India
Area served
World Wide
Key people
  • Vijay Kharabanda
    (Chairman & managing director; 1940–2017)
  • Rajesh Kharabanda
    (managing director)
ProductsSports Shoes, Sports Balls and more
BrandsNivia
Number of employees
2000
Websitehttps://niviasports.com

Nivia Sports is an Indian sports equipment manufacturing industry founded in 1934 at Sialkot. It was named Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd.[1] Later the company shifted to Mumbai and finally headquartered in Jalandhar, Punjab, India which designs and manufactures sports equipment, accessories, and sportswear including athletic clothes, and footwear.[2][3] It has been the official ball partner for many national and international leagues and tournaments including Indian Super League,[4] The Basketball Federation of India,[5] All India Football Federation,[6] Volleyball Federation of India,[7][8] Sri Lanka Super League,[9] and Premier Handball League (PHL).[10] Nivia's basketball has received certification from FIBA, the International Basketball Federation.[11][12][13] Nivia Sports has established a strategic partnership with the Women's Handball League (WHL) to collaborate on initiatives that support the development of women's handball.[14][15][16] Nivia has been named the official ball partner for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). This partnership designates Nivia Sports's Football Shastra 2.0 as the official ball for the league over a three-year period, starting with the 2024 season.[17][18] In June 2024, Nivia entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA), securing the role of exclusive provider for sportswear and footballs. Under the agreement, Nivia is tasked with supplying footballs and kits for national football championships and district-level events, totaling 1,030 footballs.[19]

Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd was founded in 1934 in Sialkot by Nihal Chand Kharabanda, who laid the groundwork for the company’s focus on sports equipment. In the subsequent years, his son, Vijay Kharabanda, joined the business, taking on management responsibilities and contributing to its development. It's listed in one of the top ten brands in sports industry in India.[20]

The brand name "Nivia" is a portmanteau created from the initial letters of the founders' names: "Ni" from Nihal and "Vi" from Vijay. This naming convention reflects the familial connection and continuity within the company. Over the years, Nivia has become known for its diverse range of sports products, emphasizing the legacy and vision established by its founders.[21]

History

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Logo used till 2022

The founder's era

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Freewill was established in 1934 at Sialkot, by Nihal Chand Kharabanda. After the partition of the Indian subcontinent into two separate countries of India and Pakistan, the company shifted its base from Sialkot to Mumbai, India. From Mumbai, it shifted to Meerut and finally settled down in Jalandhar, Punjab in 1950.[3] He was a post-graduate in political science from Jalandhar, Punjab and joined the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Punjab to enhance his knowledge about sports equipment and worked according to the needs of Indian sports industries.[22]

Vijay Kharabanda era

[edit]

Nihal Chand Kharabanda's son, Vijay Kharabanda joined his father's business in 1960. The brand Nivia was registered in 1962 and the letters "VI" of the brand name were taken from his first name.[23] He introduced the nozzles in football to the sports equipment manufacturing industry football and managed to get FIFA Pro Approvals.[24] He also helped revolutionize the Indian footwear market by launching a plastic sole shoe called NIVIA Low Cut.

The company launched a full range of hand-stitched leather balls for football, volleyball, and basketball games.[3]

Rajesh Kharabanda era

[edit]

In 1991, Rajesh Kharabanda, son of Vijay Kharabanda, joined the company.

In 2005, Rajesh Kharabanda was appointed as the managing director.[25] He put his experience and succeed to get certification for basketball from the International Basketball Federation.[26]

In 2015, Rajesh Kharabanda signed a partnership with BRICS Football Cup, and Nivia has become the official ball partner of BRICS. The agreement was signed in the presence of H. E Tovar da Silva Nunes, the ambassador of Brazil in India.[27] He was successfully got the FIFA Pro approval for Nivia balls.[28]

In 2021, His efforts to get approval from the FIBA and BFI were worthy and Nivia became the official ball partner af all matches played under Basketball Federation of India. The ball has been used by both junior-level and national-level competitions.[29]

In 2022, Rajesh Kharabanda along with Abhishek Bachchan, and Vita Dani the co-owner of Chennaiyin FC had launched a kit for the 2022–23 season.[30] This includes all three home, away, and third together. These were designed by the fans through a contest held during the year 2022.[31]

Rajesh Kharabanda is also appointed as chairperson by SGMEA, he projected a workforce to work remotely for stitching footballs. This would help workers who couldn't resume their jobs after the pandemic.[32]

Products

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Nivia Sports manufactures and markets sports products, sports wear, bags and accessories used for training and competition for sports including football, volleyball, basketball, handball, cricket, running, fitness etc.[33]

Football

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Nivia Sports hand-stitched football from 1960s
Nivia Antrix (top left), Nivia Ashtang (top right)
Ashtang 2.0 models (bottom left), Nivia Shastra 2.0 (bottom right)

Nivia Sports was the first Indian sports equipment manufacturer to produce hand-stitched balls, including footballs. In the 1950s, under Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd, Nivia Sports started manufacturing hand-stitched leather footballs, basketballs, and volleyballs. The company exported its balls to international markets, with its first consignment of 30 balls shipped to Indonesia. In the 1960s Nivia football received the approval of the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab, India. Its football became the official ball for the National Football Championship and for the All India Football Federation (AIFF).[23] In the 1980s, Nivia was selected as the official ball for the International Football Tournament Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup and South Asian Federation (SAF) Games.[23] Also it has been the official ball partner for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).[34]

Nivia Sports has also produced and sponsored other accessories related to football, such as boots, uniforms, goalkeeper gloves, goal nets, training gear, shin guards, ball pump.[35]

NIVIA Sports introduced Astra, the official match ball for Indian Super League 2021–2022.[36] The soccer ball is made with PU micro-fiber leather, in 8-panel structure which technically reduces the seam length by 23%. Astra replaced Ashtang soccer ball in the new season.

In August 2024, the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) announced a three-year partnership with Nivia, appointing them as the official ball partner. As part of this agreement, Nivia will supply the league with its latest ball model, the NIVIA 'Ashtang,' starting from the 2024 season.[37] Ashtang is the official ball through out the I-League sessions.[38]

The football Shastra 2.0 by Nivia Sports has been selected as the official ball for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Starting with the 2024 season, this ball will be used in all ISL matches over the next three years.[39]

Basketball

[edit]
Nivia basketball (above), and G20-20 volleyball

Nivia makes handmade balls. The basketball initially goes to a machine where a rubber blob is squeezed to flatten it to a thinner size, giving it a round shape. Then other stitching, and painting works are done manually by hand. CNNMoney showed the making of basketballs in Nivia's factory in Jalandhar (Punjab), India.[40]

NIvia Sports's basketball 'Top Gear 3.0' has received certification from International Basketball Federation (FIBA).[41]

Nivia has become the official ball partner for the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) from 2021 until 2025. It has provided official game balls for all matches organised by the BFI and FIBA.[29]

Volleyball

[edit]
Nivia Vayu Volleyball

In 1963, for the Pre-Olympic Volleyball Championship in New Delhi, India, the Nivia volleyball was chosen as the official ball for the tournament.[23]

Handball

[edit]
Nivia Handball

Nivia Sports is a manufacturer of handballs.[42]

The Delhi Panzers, a team in the Premier Handball League (PHL), have established a partnership with Nivia Sports, designating Nivia as their official kit supplier. Nivia Sports will provide the Delhi Panzers with their playing kits and equipment.[43][44]

Nivia Sports, in partnership with the Women's Handball League (WHL), has announced the initiation of the 'Future Handball Champions Program,' set to commence in January 2025. This initiative aims to identify and nurture young female handball talent across India, providing a structured pathway for emerging athletes.[45]

Cricket

[edit]

Nivia Sports also manufactures cricket balls, and cricketing apparels.[46]

Athletic shoes

[edit]
NIVIA Shastra, Football shoes

During the 1980s, Nivia Sports started manufacturing sports footwear in India.[23] Through the years, the company added footwear for use in other games such as cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, kabaddi, wrestling, and track & field. They also produced shoelaces and gel insoles.[47]

Football boots

[edit]
Nivia Ashtang Gold Football
Nivia Oslar Blade, football boot

The series of shoes includes identical properties as per their categories. It involves, Aviator, Brasil, Crane, Dominator, Ditmar, Destroyer, England, Encounter, Pro Encounter, Germany, Invader, Oslar, Oslar blade, Premier, Premier Carbonite, Premier Cleats, Spain,  Tough, and Ultra.[48]

Apparels

[edit]

Nivia sports has been appointed as the official apparel partner for BFI and FIBA Backed 3x3 Pro Basketball League.[49]

Jersey

[edit]

Nivia Sports manufactures jerseys for all sports. It has been the official sports partner for many of the sports clubs. Nivia Jerseys are made up of micro polyester and Nivia is the official partner for the largest clubs like Mohun Bagan SG,[50] Chennaiyin FC[51] and sports leagues as ISL, FIBA, BFI.[52]

Accessories

[edit]

Nivia Sports produces sports accessories such as kits or bags, tracksuits, shorts, lowers, shocks, and windcheaters for use in cricket, football, basketball, and volleyball. The company has contributed sports equipment, footwear and accessories including badminton rackets and shuttlecocks, strings, skateboards, skating wheels, squash rackets, and swimming accessories like earplugs, fins, masks, and aqua boards.[53]

Sponsorships

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Basketball

[edit]

National Team

[edit]

Futsal

[edit]

Handball

Football

[edit]

National Teams

[edit]

Federations and associations

[edit]

Clubs Teams

[edit]

Domestic leagues

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Chengappa, C. C. (19 February 2021). "10 'Made in India' sports brands competing with global brands". thebridge.in. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Nivia Sports". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "About Nivia Sports". Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Hero ISL gets NIVIA as ball partner for 3 years". Indian Television Dot Com. 20 August 2018. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  5. ^ Nair, Abhijit (18 October 2021). "Basketball Federation of India onboards Nivia as official ball partners". thebridge.in. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
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  12. ^ Chengappa, C. C. (19 February 2021). "10 'Made in India' sports brands competing with global brands". thebridge.in. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
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  35. ^ Bend it like Ronaldo Archived 6 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine, The Tribune of India, 19 June 2010
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  37. ^ https://plus.google.com/107324234873078450867 (20 August 2018). "Hero ISL gets NIVIA as ball partner for 3 years". admin.indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ https://plus.google.com/107324234873078450867 (20 August 2018). "Hero ISL gets NIVIA as ball partner for 3 years". admin.indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 16 September 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "ISL 2024-25 | OFFICIAL MATCH BALL by NIVIA SPORTS". www.indiansuperleague.com. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
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  45. ^ "WHL Launches 'Future Handball Champions Program' in India | Sports-Games". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  46. ^ "Best Sports Shoes For Men 2022 Incredible Choices To Keep Your Feet Comfortable And Dry News: Read Latest News on Best Sports Shoes For Men 2022 Incredible Choices To Keep Your Feet Comfortable And Dry, Photos, Videos & Updates on Best Sports Shoes For Men 2022 Incredible Choices To Keep Your Feet Comfortable And Dry". Jagran English. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  47. ^ "Footwear for Games". Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  48. ^ "Football Shoes". Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  49. ^ "BFI and FIBA Backed 3x3 Pro Basketball League to Tip Off with Season 3". News18. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
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  51. ^ "Chennaiyin FC unveil fan-designed jersey kits for 2022–23 campaign". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  52. ^ "BFI and FIBA Backed 3x3 Pro Basketball League to Tip Off with Season 3". News18. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  53. ^ "Nivia Accessories". Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  54. ^ Nivia Sports [@niviasports] (18 October 2021). "From School Leagues to National Championships #NIVIA basketballs are the Official balls for the @BFI_basketball #MoveUpWithNivia #StepOutAndPlay #NiviaSports #Indianbasketball https://t.co/AwWCS6cddH" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021 – via Twitter.
  55. ^ Indian Football Team [@IndianFootball] (30 October 2021). "Presenting to you, the @niviasports Force Futsal, official match ball ⚽ of the Hero Futsal Club Championship 2021–22!!! 💙🏆💙🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ https://t.co/YmEjhRtusg" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 October 2021 – via Twitter.
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  57. ^ Edupuganti, Mohit (23 August 2021). "Neroca Football Club ropes in Saikhom Mirabai Chanu as its global brand ambassador". bizbehindsports.com. Imphal, Manipur: Biz Behind Sports. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
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