Neeraj Chopra's VEL Sports signs 19-year-old high jumper Pooja
By Aarav DeshpandeSports Correspondent, Peepals Yuva
Representative image: morzaszum / Pixabay
Neeraj Chopra's VEL Sports Management signed Asian Games bronze medallist and 1.93m national record holder Pooja, 19, on October 28, 2026.
What Happened
VEL Sports Management, the athlete representation company linked to Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, has signed 19-year-old high jumper Pooja, the Asian Games bronze medallist and national record holder, the company announced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Under the agreement, VEL will look after her sporting development, commercial representation, brand partnerships, contract negotiations, media work and long-term career planning.
Key Facts
- Pooja, 19, comes from Bosti village in Fatehabad district of Haryana, the same state as Neeraj Chopra.
- She won bronze in the women's high jump at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 29 with a clearance of 1.84m.
- It was India's first women's high jump medal at the Asian Games since 2002, a gap of 24 years.
- She holds the national record of 1.93m, set while winning gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong in 2026, beating the previous mark of 1.92m held by Sahana Kumari for 14 years.
- VEL's managing director, Himani Mor, who is Neeraj Chopra's wife, said the company believed Pooja could go even higher with the right support and opportunities.
- Pooja said she wanted to keep improving, keep representing India and reach bigger milestones in the high jump.
Why It Matters
Most young Indian athletes outside cricket handle their own careers, or rely on family and coaches, at the age when the biggest decisions are made. They have to find sponsors, deal with brands, negotiate contracts and manage media attention while still training full-time. Agencies that specialise in managing athletes can take this weight off, but the big ones tend to sign established stars. Signing a 19-year-old shortly after her first senior medal shows that some agencies now see value in backing talent early.
The link with Neeraj Chopra adds weight. Chopra's Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2020 turned javelin into a sport that young Indians follow closely. His agency signing a high jumper suggests it wants to support athletes beyond his own event, and it gives Pooja access to people who have already guided an Olympic champion.
Pooja's own record explains the interest. A 1.93m clearance at 19 is a senior-level performance by Indian standards, and an Asian Games podium gives her a profile that brands can work with. Women's high jump in India has had few international medals, so her progress will be watched closely before the next World Championships and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
For young readers who want a career in sport, the deal is also a lesson. Talent and results come first: Pooja was signed after a national record and an Asian Games medal. But the business side, such as sponsorship, media and contracts, is a real part of a modern athlete's life, and planning for it early can help protect training time and income.
| Pooja's 2026 at a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| Asian U20 Championships, Hong Kong | Gold, national record 1.93m |
| Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya (September 29) | Bronze, 1.84m |
| Management deal (announced October 28) | VEL Sports Management |
Impact
Short-term: Pooja gets professional help with sponsors, contracts and media, which can let her and her coaches focus on training for the next international season.
Long-term: If she keeps improving, she could become India's first world-level women's high jumper, and the deal may encourage other agencies to sign promising juniors in less-followed athletics events.
Who is affected: Pooja and her coaching team, young athletes in Haryana and across India who hope to turn professional, and brands looking for new faces in Olympic sports.
Key Takeaway
Neeraj Chopra's VEL Sports Management has signed Pooja, the 19-year-old Asian Games bronze medallist and 1.93m national record holder, to manage her career and commercial work.
Questions and Answers
Who has Neeraj Chopra's VEL Sports signed?
VEL Sports Management signed Pooja, a 19-year-old high jumper from Fatehabad, Haryana, who won bronze at the 2026 Asian Games and holds the national record of 1.93m. The signing was announced on October 28, 2026.
What will VEL Sports do for Pooja?
According to the announcement, it will handle her sporting development, commercial representation, brand partnerships, contract negotiations, media and personal branding, and long-term career planning.
What is Pooja's national record?
She cleared 1.93m to win gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong in 2026, beating the old national mark of 1.92m held by Sahana Kumari.
Why is her Asian Games medal important?
Her 1.84m bronze in Aichi-Nagoya on September 29, 2026 was India's first women's high jump medal at the Asian Games since 2002.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aarav Deshpande, Sports CorrespondentCovers Sports and more for Peepals Yuva. All stories by Aarav Deshpande
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Aarav Deshpande is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
