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10 "Made in India" sports brands competing with global brands
Let's take a look at top 10 homegrown sporting brands that are dominating the Indian market over the past decade.
Several apparel makers have made major headways in the Indian sporting sector over the past decade. Here, in this article, we take a look at the top 10 Indian sporting apparel and equipment brands that continue to dominate the market both for their new-age technologies as well as for maintaining the stellar reputation that has preceded them:
Cosco Sports
A gully cricket game would be incomplete without the classic Indian ‘tennis’ ball. This ball has also often been the centre of all controversies among young boys and girls who have smashed into drains, onto terraces, forests, bushes etc. The business set up by Raj, Narinder and Devender Jain in 1980 continues to provide top-quality sports equipment across India. The idea to produce sporting equipment by the Delhi based manufacturer came from their already successful rubber business which gradually developed into providing equipment for racquet sports.
Nivia
Another age-old Indian company that has been the face of several Indian sports and in particular football, Nivia too has come a long way. It’s cost-effective nature and great quality is something that has defined its brand since its setup in 1962. Initially known as FreeWill sports, it was founded in Sialkot, Pakistan way back in 1934 and later shifted to India during partition under the watchful gaze of Nihal Chand Kharbanda. Nivia has had tie-up with FIFA, Volleyball Federation of India, All India Football Federations and several more organisations. As of today, it specialises in making team apparel and equipment for almost all sports that are played in India.
Shiv Naresh
It began from a small tailor’s unit in Delhi and was founded by a former athlete named RK Singh. It is often characterised as the face of Indian sports with several sportsmen such as Vijender Singh and Mary Kom having the famous Shiv Naresh sign on their Indian team jerseys. The company was one of the pioneers of Indian sporting apparel in the 1970s and gradually developed into one of the most recognisable brands of India. It has a classic logo that is found on the chest and side of the shorts, often being seen clearly during international and national events in India and around the world.
Bindra wore a Shiv Naresh jacket when he stood on the podium at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Tyka
Tyka has been the face of Punjab Kings in the IPL and it was that very deal that propelled it into the world of sporting apparel. It has since gone on to sponsor teams in leagues such as the English country cricket, Tamil Nadu Premier League, KPL etc. Chennayin FC roped in Tyka as its jersey maker and the Indian National Hockey team has been at the receiving end of quality products as well from this Jalandhar based company. It has consistently produced several jersey designs and jersey material that have made it big across several countries as an Indian sporting apparel brand.
SS
Another gully cricket favourite, the SS bat has been seen on TV when Virender Sehwag made his mammoth 309 against Pakistan as well as in every nook and corner of an Indian cricket lovers’ den. Based out of Meerut, Sareen Sports Industries began manufacturing sporting equipment in 1969 and its trademark product of a cricket bat gradually developed into one of India’s favourite sporting equipment as time went by. SS mostly specialises in cricket products with balls, pads, helmets and entire kits being churned out for every player across the country.
VVS Laxman used to use SS for a long time during his playing days.
Re Design
This company has taken a slightly different approach to the Indian sports apparel market with a lot of emphasis on minute details associated with its fabric. With clothing features such as anti-chafe seams, moisture-wicking, targeted compression, individuals feel the extra layer of comfort and agility while wearing Re Designs products. Their choices include tights, skins and workout shirts amongst many other products. A major highlight of this company is its low-cost pricing that is easy on the pocket.
Alcis Sports
Anti-UV, Anti Odour, Dry Tech, and light are just a few of the quality control tests that this brand has passed with flying colours. Made specifically for Indian weather, this company has expanded to more than 20 Indian cities and consistently delivers products for sporting activities such as Yoga, football running, gymming etc. It continues to grow with leaps and bounds and is one of India’s upcoming sporting apparel companies.
Piranha
Polyester fabric is one of the frequently used materials by Piranha when it comes to their branding and material. One of the standout qualities of this Indian company is that its products are cross knitted in order to allow for better moisture escape. Digital and hand-made techniques are utilised as well keeping in mind comfort levels of sportsmen. It has successfully combined its quality and product making technique with a nice for a variety of designs much to the relief of Indian markets that is so often starved of designer apparel.
Vector X
Vector X has been associated with organisations such as Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools, Mumbai Football Association and many more ever since its founding in 1999. It’s products that are designed using Thermofusion techniques have been a revelation especially in the football fraternity. Vector- X made it to the FIFA Product Quality Index with one of its lead flagship brands named Stealth. Companies such as Slazenger and Yasaka are represented by Vector X along with Indian companies such as Viva fitness and Viva bikes.
Performax
Based out of Mumbai, Performax has seen a massive rise in its clientele ever since it began selling on e-commerce websites such as Ajio and Reliance Trends. The apparel brand has also linked up with Mumbai Indians, Chennayin FC and Jaipur Pink Panthers across various Indian sporting leagues and continues to go from strength to strength. This is another of the revolutionary new age sporting apparel brands that have hit the Indian markets and offer its buyers a huge choice of high-performance apparel.
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