Brands
Vels opens Rs 25 crore sports campus as PT Usha kicks off Chennai expansion
CHENNAI: Vels FC was inaugurated by Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha in the presence of Vels Group of Institutions chairman Ishari K Ganesh, marking a major push in Tamil Nadu’s bid to become a sporting hub.
The new campus, built at a cost of Rs 25 crore, features a Fifa-standard football turf, a residential training complex and international coaching led by Spanish trainers. More than 200 players from across India have enrolled in structured programmes, and one student has been sponsored with Rs 20 lakh for advanced training in Spain.
The site also houses the Vels Swimming School, equipped with Olympic-standard lanes, a three-tier diving platform and a 3–12 feet pool: one of the most advanced aquatic facilities in the region.
At the launch, Ishari K Ganesh, also president of the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association, awarded Kabaddi gold medallists Karthika and Abinash scholarships worth Rs 1 lakh each. He announced that 80 students from rural Tamil Nadu will receive free training, accommodation, nutrition and education as part of a grassroots talent drive.
PT Usha lauded the offer of 500 free seats each year, 200 of them for sports achievers, and congratulated Ganesh on his unopposed re-election as TN Olympic Association president. TAOA general secretary Adhav Arjuna urged more institutions to invest in sport and appealed to the IOA chief to allow Tamil Nadu to host the National Games for the first time.
The opening of the Vels Football Residential Academy and Vels Swimming School signals a bold new chapter for Tamil Nadu’s sporting ambitions.
Brands
Reebok partners with Jerai Fitness for gym equipment in India
Long-term deal to manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded fitness products from April 2026.
MUMBAI: Reebok is pumping up its presence in India and this time, it’s bringing serious muscle to the gym floor. Jerai Fitness Limited, an Indian manufacturer with over three decades of experience in fitness equipment, has announced a first-of-its-kind long-term partnership with Reebok. Under the agreement, Jerai Fitness will manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded gym equipment across India and neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The products will be available from 1 April 2026.
The collaboration combines Jerai Fitness’ fully automated, technology-driven manufacturing facility with Reebok’s global brand legacy to redefine the fitness equipment ecosystem in the region.
Jerai Fitness Limited chairman & managing director Rajesh Rai said the partnership leverages advanced manufacturing capabilities to deliver high-quality products tailored to market needs.
Authentic Brands Group EVP of Reebok Steve Robaire noted that India is a dynamic and fast-growing fitness market. “Jerai Fitness brings the manufacturing expertise and local insight needed to deliver high-quality, performance-driven equipment at scale,” he said.
The partnership will introduce a comprehensive commercial range covering cardio, free weights, and high-end home-use equipment under two distinct series. All products adhere to international standards, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ASTM certifications, and European safety standards EN ISO 20957-1:2013, EN 957-2:2003 and EN 957-4:2006.
Jerai Fitness’ manufacturing facility features fully automated production systems and dedicated storage infrastructure. As of 31 August 2025, it had an installed annual capacity of 21,000 units.
The Reebok-branded equipment will be available pan-India through Jerai Fitness showrooms and official websites jeraihomegym.com and jeraifitness.com.
In a market where fitness goals are rising faster than dumbbells, this partnership gives Reebok the local strength it needs while giving Jerai Fitness a powerful global brand to flex. For Indian fitness enthusiasts and gym owners, the workout just got a stylish upgrade.
