Nivia's basketball gets FIBA certification

Strap: Beating rivals from China & Malaysia, it is the 1st Indian company to get approval

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 5 .

Coming as a proud moment for the sporting goods manufacturing industry of Jalandhar, Nivia Top Grip 3.0 basketball has got certification from FIBA, the International Basketball Federation.

The company, already catering all kinds of equipment to many in the national and international market, has now got the certification after a long process of formalities, stringent laboratory and physical tests. The basketball features the iconic 8-panel deep channel design, with full ball pebbling for superior grip and 100 per cent nylon windings for consistence bounce, shape retention and durability, the company now boasts.

Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd MD and chairman Rajesh Kharbanda said, “Getting the FIBA level-2 approval is a huge step for the Indian basketball. We are extremely proud to be able to provide affordable technology that also meets strict global standards. The same standards will now be available to schools, universities, amateur teams all over the country to train for the competitions. It is great to be the first in the country to have this recognition from FIBA.”

He added, “We were already manufacturing balls of the same standards but not having the FIBA certification sometimes used to come as a handicap when tenders called for international events carried this condition. The push to move in this direction came with a growing chant for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The certification has helped us establish ourselves again as the market leader against rivals from Malaysia and China.”

With focus on making elite level sports equipment accessible to the aspiring masses, this certification for Freewill Sports Pvt Ltd has become an important step in recognition of ‘Make in India’ efforts. Founded in 1932, FIBA is the apex governing body of World Basketball responsible for international competitions like FIBA World Cup and the Olympics basketball tournament.