TSA brings Nirmal Lifestyle and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) together

Mumbai, Nirmal Lifestyle, one of INDIA’S leading real estate companies, has inked a 10-year licensing deal with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the governing body for athletics worldwide, to develop athletics in India and encourage greater participation in the sport.

An exclusive licensing agreement to this effect brokered by Total Sports Asia , was signed by Mr. Dharmesh Jain, Chairman and MD, Nirmal Lifestyle, and Mr. Elio Locatelli, IAAF Member Services Director, on 04th July, 2011 in the presence of Mike Powell, world long-jump record holder and other eminent delegates from IAAF.

Nirmal Lifestyle will have the exclusive right to use the IAAF logo and trademark for development of IAAF certified training facilities, academies and clubs in the country. IAAF shall be providing technical and professional expertise, consultation, coaching and training necessary for establishing and running world class athletics infrastructure by way of designs, plans, specifications and technical inputs.

Nirmal Lifestyle will build the infrastructure (Training Academy) as per IAAF standards and IAAF through its development program will send coaches, lecturers and ambassador athletes like Mike Powell to train young promising athletes. This will not only contribute in improving sporting performances in India but will also impact India’s position on the sports stage globally.

Nirmal Lifestyle and IAAF will jointly work towards spreading awareness about athletics in India. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dharmesh Jain, Chairman and MD, Nirmal Lifestyle, said, “IAAF is the sole and leading authority for athletics around the world, with more than 212 Member Federations affiliated, and we are truly honored to have partnered with them in our endeavor to uplift standards of athletics in India. This is for the first time a real estate company has taken lead in creating and providing world-class sports facilities and infrastructure to communities and cultivates a healthy lifestyle across the country.”

Mike Powell, world long-jump record holder, said, “India is an emerging country in sports that requires nurturing and development at grass-root and performance level. The IAAF – Nirmal Lifestyle initiative will contribute towards improving the overall strength of athletics in India.”

Mr. Elio Locatelli, Development Director at IAAF, said, “We are truly excited to partner with Nirmal Lifestyle in India and we believe that this will be a mutually beneficial tie-up. We are excited to work with Nirmal Lifestyle in encouraging and motivating young talent in India because the skills developed in athletics also form the basis of success in other sports as well as contributing to a healthy lifestyle.” Total Sports Asia, CEO Marcus Luer said “India is brimming with talented athletes who, unfortunately, don’t get the infrastructure and training that they deserve and need. Once they are provided a strong foundation and facilities, they have what it takes to make India a superpower on the sports field. The initiative by Nirmal Lifestyle and IAAF will create the platform where the best Indian Athletic talent will be provided with the infrastructure to succeed on the world stage.”